• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2018

This study investigated the survival rates and physiological responses of Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, in live fish containers ($8^{\circ}C$, 33 psu) for 18 days. The survival rate was 99% and 97% in the control and experimental groups, respectively. Hematocrit and hemoglobin did not differ significantly between the control and experimental groups. Glucose and cortisol rose immediately on the first day of containment, but both gradually normalized. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase did not differ significantly between the two groups after recovery. $NH_3$ continued to rise after the first day, but decreased to a level not significantly different from that of the control group during the recovery period. Plasma ions and osmolality did not change abnormally. The hemocyte population was not significantly different from that of the control. The ratios of apoptotic and necrotic cells indicated no specific variation in hemocyte viability. The histological changes in the skin and gills were not significantly different from those seen in the control. The experimental data obtained in this study suggest that live fish containers may be used to transport Korean rockfish without significantly affecting their physiology or survival.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.477-485
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• 2016

CG200745 is a novel inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), initially developed for treatment of various hematological and solid cancers. Because it is water-soluble, it can be administered orally. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive rats. For establishment of hypertension, 40 mg/kg of DOCA was subcutaneously injected four times weekly into Sprague-Dawley rats. All the rats used in this study including those in the sham group had been unilaterally nephrectomized and allowed free access to drinking water containing 1% NaCl. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Blood chemistry including sodium, potassium, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels was analyzed. Sections of the heart were visualized after trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin stain. The expression of hypertrophic genes such as atrial natriuretic peptide A (Nppa) and atrial natriuretic peptide B (Nppb) in addition to fibrotic genes such as Collagen-1, Collagen-3, connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), and Fibronectin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Injection of DOCA increased systolic blood pressure, heart weight, and cardiac fibrosis, which was attenuated by CG200745. Neither DOCA nor CG200745 affected body weight, vascular contraction and relaxation responses, and blood chemistry. Injection of DOCA increased expression of both hypertrophic and fibrotic genes, which was abrogated by CG200745. These results indicate that CG200745 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats.

• 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.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.191-198
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• 2021

Background: Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results: Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion: This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1117-1131
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• 2022

Previous studies reported that Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HY8002 (HY8002) improved intestinal integrity and had immunomodulatory effects. Lactobacillus plantarum HY7717 (HY7717) was screened in vitro from among 21 other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production. The aims of this study were to investigate the individual and combined ex vivo and in vivo effects of LAB strains HY8002 and HY7717 at immunostimulating mice that have been challenged with an immunosuppressant drug. The combination of HY8002 and HY7717 increased the secretion of cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in splenocytes. In a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression model, administration of the foregoing LAB combination improved the splenic and hematological indices, activated natural killer (NK) cells, and up-regulated plasma immunoglobulins and cytokines. Moreover, this combination treatment increased Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression. The ability of the combination treatment to upregulate IFN-γ and TNF-α in the splenocytes was inhibited by anti-TLR2 antibody. Hence, the immune responses stimulated by the combination of HY8002 and HY7717 are associated with TLR2 activation. The preceding findings suggest that the combination of the HY8002 and HY7717 LAB strains could prove to be a beneficial and efficacious immunostimulant probiotic supplement. The combination of the two probiotic strains will be applied on the dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• Proceedings of the Korean Aquaculture Society Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.105-106
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• 2003

Physiological responses (cortisol, glucose, lactic acid, osmolality and hematology) of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) to stressors associated with confinement and subsequent transport were investigated. Specimens were subjected to confinement stress for 3 h, prior to transport for 15 h. Two different size cohorts of the fish, large (839.6$\pm$162.7 g) and small (98.2$\pm$14.8 g), were used. Experimental cohorts of the fish were divided into 3 groups for blood sampling: group A, sampled at the beginning of confinement and 3 h before transport (BT, -3 h), after confinement and at the beginning of transport (BT, 0 h), 3 h after transport had begun (AT, 3 h), and after 15 h transport (AT, 15 h); group B, sampled at BT, 0 h, at AT, 3 h, and at AT, 15 h; and, group C, sampled at AT, 3 h, and at AT, 15 h. In the cohort of large fish, plasma cortisol levels of the A group were increased over time, from 4.2 ng/ml (BT, -3 h), to 92.0 ng/ml (BT, 0 h), 118.5 ng/ml (AT, 3 h) and 105.5 ng/ml (AT, 15 h). A similar pattern was evident in the B group, in which cortisol increased from 47.5 ng/ml (BT, 0 h) to 53.5 ng/ml (AT, 15 h); and, for the C group, in which cortisol increased from 43.5 ng/ml (AT, 3 h) to 71.5 ng/ml (AT, 15 h). Glucose levels of the A group also were significantly increased, from 39.5 mg/dl (BT, -3 h), to 121.0 mg/dl (BT, 0 h), 298.0 mg/dl (AT, 3 h) and 260.5 mg/dl (AT, 15 h). Lactic acid levels increased markedly during transport, from less than 1 mmol/L (BT, 0 h) to 12.0 mmol/L (AT, 15 h). Plasma osmolality increased from 405.5 mOsm/kg (BT, -3 h, for group A) to values near 500 mOsm/kg subsequent to confinement and transport. In the small-size cohort, plasma cortisol, glucose, lactic acid and osmolality levels showed similar but less pronounced trends than those observed for the large-size cohort. This research provides baseline data on cortisol, glucose, lactic acid, osmolality and hematological responses to confinement and transport, which should be useful to aquaculturists working with olive flounder and to scientists studying other flatfish species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2017

To determine the optimum water temperature (a temperature which minimizes metabolic activities and stress in fish) for long distance transportation of red-spotted grouper (Epinephelus akaara), by evaluating the behavior, survival and physiological and hematological responses to variable water temperature conditions (9, 12, 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$) for 48 hours. Fish exposed to $9^{\circ}C$ died at 48 hours exposure, but those exposed to 12, 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ treatment groups all survived. Fish in the 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ exposure groups exhibited normal swimming, while those exposed to $12^{\circ}C$ were observed to be stationary at the bottom of the tank. The plasma cortisol and glucose concentration were higher in fish exposed to $12^{\circ}C$ than at other temperature conditions. The fish in the 12 and $15^{\circ}C$ groups had significantly higher hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) than those in the 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ groups (P<0.05). Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), $NH_3$ and osmolality showed a pattern similar to the levels of plasma cortisol, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total protein did not significantly vary among the experimental groups. These results indicate that the optimum water temperature for long distance transportation of the red-spotted grouper is $15^{\circ}C$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8661-8666
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• 2014

Background: Docetaxel and cisplatin in combination with fluorouracil (DCF) regimen is accepted to be one of the standard regimens in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. However, substantial toxicity has limited its use in daily clinical practice. Therefore, modification of DCF regimens, including introduction of capecitabine has been investigated to improve the safety profiles. In the present study, the efficacy and toxicity of a regimen with a modified dose of docetaxel and cisplatin in combination with oral capecitabine (DCX) was evaluated in untreated patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four patients with HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were included in this cohort. Patients received docetaxel $60mg/m^2$ plus cisplatin $60mg/m^2$ (day 1) combined with capecitabine $1650mg/m^2$ (days 1-14) every 3 weeks. Treatment response, survival, and toxicity were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The median age was 54 years (range: 24-76). The majority of patients (70%) had metastatic disease, while 11 patients (21%) had recurrent disease and underwent curative gastrectomy, and 5 patients (9%) had locally advanced disease (LAD). The median number of DCX cycles was 4. There were 28 partial responses and 11 complete responses, with an overall response rate of 72%. Curative surgery could be performed in four patients among five with LAD. At the median follow-up of 10 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort of patients were 7.4 and 12.1 months, respectively. Dose modification was done in 12 patients due to toxicity in 8 and noncompliance in 4 patients. The most common hematological toxicity was neutropenia, which occurred at grade 3-4 intensity in 10 of 54 patients (27.7%). Febrile neutropenia was diagnosed only in two cases. Conclusions: DCX regimen offers prominent anti-tumor activity and considered to be effective first-line treatment with manageable toxicity for patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.87-93
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• 2009

We have investigated the effects of the culture broth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cultured in herb extract on growth, hematological parameter, nonspecific immune responses and disease resistance of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivacells) and parrot fish (Oplegnathus fasciatus) for 12 weeks. Weight gain of olive flounder fed diet with mixture was not significant among the control group. But In parrot fish, was significantly higher 20g than control group. The feed efficiency of olive flounder were 25% higher in the experimental groups than in the control. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency among each group on parrot fish. Treatment of olive flounder contents of GOT and GPT in serum decreased after 8 weeks. But there were no significant differences in GLU and TP among each group. Also, there was no significant of NBT reduction. The activities of lysozyme were higher in experimental group of olive flounder than in the control after 8 weeks. On the other hand, activities of lysozyme were triple higher in the experimental group of parrot fish than in the control after 12 weeks. In the oliver flounder case, the survival rate (%) after an artificial challenge with $10^7$ CFU/ml of Vibrio anguillarum and Streptococcus iniae per fish, was 18% higher in the experimental groups than the control. The higher survival rate of parrot fish were 17% and 16% in the experimental groups than the control respectively.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.134-141
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• 2014

Along with the wide use of radiotherapy in cancer treatment, there is growing interest in beneficial effect of low-dose irradiation (LDI) in cancer therapy. Therefore, we investigate how LDI affects immune responses in mice model. Total body irradiation (TBI) on C57BL/6 mice was given at low-dose rate of $1mGy{\cdot}min^{-1}$ using $^{137}Cs$ source at three times for consecutive three days. Hematological examination, total cell numbers of spleen, populations and characteristics of splenocytes were determined. Total numbers of RBC or platelet in irradiated mice showed no significant changes. WBC counts were decreased in a dose-dependent manner 2 days after TBI, however, these differences are gradually waned until 28 days. Dose-dependent decrease in the number of splenocytes of TBI mice at day 2 was also improved as time progressed. While the level of Foxp3 mRNA was decreased, the frequency of $CD4^+$ T cells and $CD69^+$ cells in spleen was increased at day 2 and 14. Fractionated low-dose TBI on mice exhibited normal body weight with no distinguishable behavior during whole experimental periods. These results suggest that some parameters of immune system could be altered and evaluated by fractionated low-dose TBI and be used to broaden boundary of low dose radiation research.