• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.463-468
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• 2000

Anthrax lethal toxin, which consists of two separate protein, protective antigen (83 KDa) and lethal factor (85 KDa) is responsible for major symptoms and death from systemic infection of Bacillus anthracis. High concentrations of this toxin are cytolytic to macrophages, whereas sublytic concentrations of lethal toxin induce these cells to produce interleukin $1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$). It is proposed that melatonin and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may play an important role in modifying immune dysfunction. In this study, we investigated whether or not melatonin and DHEA could prevent $IL-1{\beta}$ production that is induced by anthrax lethal toxin in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Treatment of melatonin or DHEA alone, as well as together, prevented the production of $IL-1{\beta}$ caused by anthrax lethal toxin. We found that melatonin at a concentration of $10^{-6}-10^{-7}$ M inhibits $IL-1{\beta}$ production induced by anthrax lethal toxin. As expect, treatment of DHEA at a concentration $10^{-6}-10^{-7}$ M also suppressed production of $IL-1{\beta}$ by lethal toxin stimulated macrophages. The results of these studies suggest that melatonin and DHEA, immunomodulators, may have an important role in reducing the increase of cytokine production in anthrax lethal toxin-treated macrophages.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1103-1110
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Several epidemiological studies have validated the association of interleukin gene polymorphisms with acute pancreatitis (AP) in different populations. However, there have been few studies in Asian ethnic groups. We aimed to investigate the relationships between inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms and AP as pilot research in a Korean ethnic group. Methods: Patients who had been diagnosed with AP were prospectively enrolled. DNA was extracted from whole blood, and DNA sequencing was subsequently performed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin $1{\beta}$ (IL1B), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN), and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNFA) genes of patients with AP were compared to those of normal controls. Results: Between January 2011 and January 2013, a total of 65 subjects were enrolled (40 patients with AP vs. 25 healthy controls). One intronic SNP (IL1RN -1129T>C, rs4251961) was significantly associated with the risk of AP (odds ratio, 0.304; 95% confidence interval, 0.095 to 0.967; p = 0.043). However, in our study, AP was not found to be associated with polymorphisms in the promoter regions of inflammatory cytokine genes, including IL1B (-118C>T, c47+242C>T, +3954C/T, and -598T>C) and TNFA (-1211T>C, -1043C>A, -1037C>T, -488G>A, and -418G>A). Conclusions: IL1RN -1129T>C (rs4251961) genotypes might be associated with a significant increase of AP risk in a Korean ethnic group.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2019

The common hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the presence of chronic neuroinflammation, which contributes to the loss of neuronal structure and function. This study investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium (SSE) in a lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced murine neuroinflammation model. Mice were administered SSE (100 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle for 5 days by oral gavage, and then treated with LPS or saline by intraperitoneal injection. Thereafter, the brain tissues were collected, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. There was a marked increase in the spleen weight index in the LPS-treated groups, which indicated the induction of acute systemic inflammation. Based on significant increases in the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 expression, the induction of neuroinflammation was also evident in the cortex and hippocampus of the LPS-treated groups. The overall expression of IL-1 and IL-6 was decreased slightly by SSE administration, compared with the LPS group, and a marked change in IL-1 was observed in the cortex of the SSE-treated (SSE/LPS) group. These results suggest that SSE has potential as an anti-neuroinflammatory nutraceutical.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.206-217
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The immunomodulatory effect of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been reported, but studies on its mechanism are still lacking. This study was undertaken to confirm whether the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) obtained by adding hydrolysis and fermentation to the extraction process has an immune-enhancing effect in the in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NOR), control group (CON), 150 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day HFPGE-treated group (T150), and 300 mg/kg BW/day HFPGE-treated group (T300). The mice were administered HFPGE for 4 weeks and intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (CPA, 80 mg/kg BW/day) on day 6, 7, and 8, respectively, to induce immunosuppression. The levels of immunoglobulins (Igs) and cytokines were measured in the serum. In splenocytes, proliferation and cytokine levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum IgA, IgG, and IgM levels were observed to decrease after CPA treatment, which was recovered by HFPGE administration. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were also decreased after exposure to CPA but increased after HFPGE administration. Decreased splenocyte proliferation was seen in CPA-treated mice, but was observed to increase in the T150 and T300 groups as compared to the NOR group. Compared to the CON group, splenocyte proliferation stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the HFPGE-treated groups was significantly increased. The cytokines secreted by ConA-stimulated splenocytes (IL-2, IL-12, interferon-γ, TNF-α) were increased in the T150 and T300 groups, and cytokines secreted by LPS-stimulated splenocytes (IL-4, IL-8, TGF-β) were also increased by HFPGE administration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HFPGE stimulates the immunity in immunosuppressed conditions, thereby enhancing the immune response. Therefore, it is expected that HFPGE has the potential to be used as functional food and medicine for immune recovery in various immunocompromised situations.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.29-40
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• 2015

Objectives We have attempted to provide the basis of treatment effects by considering foreign & domestic randomized controlled trials (RCTs), being implemented with catgut-embedding therapy for lumbar disc herniation. Methods We found the literatures prepared in Korean, English, and Chinese by December 2014 in electronic databases (Pubmed, Science Direct, Proquest, OASIS, KMbase, NDSL, RISS, National Assembly Library). We choosed RCTs by selection criteria through abstracts & articles, extracted and analyzed data. Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool was used & implemented for the risk of bias. Results The total of 17 studies were included in the review. 88.2% of studies were accomplished within the last decade. The experimental group has shown more significant effects in 70.6% of studies, and the long-term & partial significant results were obtained in 29.4% of studies. Affected lumbar area and pelvic limb area with radiating pain were mostly selected for acupoint. Conclusions Overall and partial significant results were obtained from 17 foreign & domestic comparative RCTs which substantiates the treatment effects of catgut-embedding therapy for lumbar disc herniation. Since all studies, however, were exposed to the risk of bias, so future research of higher quality shall be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2011

This study examined the effect of gamma irradiation (3-20 kGy) on the immune activity and physicochemical properties of Myagropsis myagroides (MM) water extracts. MM powder and water extracts were subjected to gamma irradiation at 3, 7, and 20 kGy. The effects of gamma-irradiated MM water extracts on splenocyte proliferation and cytokine IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-2 secretion were evaluated. The gamma-irradiated MM water extracts resulted in decreased splenocyte proliferation without cytotoxicity. The IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-2 secretion increased by gamma-irradiated MM water extracts with increasing irradiation dose. For MM powder, the yield and total phenolic compounds (TPC) of water extracts were increased slightly after gamma irradiation. In MM water extracts, the TPC was higher at a dose of 20 kGy, while gamma irradiation decreased the viscosity, pH, and color of the MM extracts. In conclusion, gamma irradiation improved the immunomodulatory activity of MM water extracts, overcoming its potential weakness when applied in the food industry.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.916-921
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• 2004

The penalty method has been widely applied to analyses of incompressible fluid flow. However, we have not yet found any prior studies that employed penalty method to analyze compressible fluid flow. In this study, with an eye on the apparent similarity between the slight compressible formulation and the penalty formulation, we have proposed a new approximate approach that can analyze compressible packing process using the penalty parameter l. Based on the assumption of the isothermal flow, a set of reference solutions was obtained to verify the validity of the proposed scheme. Furthermore, we have applied the proposed scheme to the analysis of the packing process of different cases.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.512-515
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• 2005

The Korean peninsula has a number of coastal sites where the rhythmic rising and lowering of water surface due to tides result in strong tidal current. The kinetic energy of these currents can be efficiently exploited by using tidal current turbines. The pilot tidal current power plant is to be constructed at the Uldolmok between Chindo and Haenam. Extensive coastal engineer ing research works have been carried out. This paper describes some observation results of field campaign, design of the supporting structure of a pilot plant of 1,000kW and a future tidal current power plant and so on.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.119-123
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• 2001

In this paper, a DCM operated boost integrated single-stage forward-flyback converter is proposed. This proposed converter has high power factor, low harmonic distortion, and tight output regulation. To increase efficiency, zero voltage switching with asymmetrical control is used. This converter also give low voltage stress in switch and this results in low conduction loss with low turn-on resistance.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.337-342
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• 2007

In this study, molecular dynamics simulation of nano imprint lithography in which patterned stamp is pressed onto amorphous polyethylene(PE) surface are performed to study the behaviour of polymer. Force fields including bond, angle, torsion, and Lennard Jones potential are used to describe the inter-molecular and intra-molecular force of PE molecules and stamp, substrate. Periodic boundary condition is used in horizontal direction and canonical NVT ensemble is used to control the system temperature. As the simulation results, the behaviour of polymer is investigated during the imprinting process. The mechanism of polymer deformation is studied by means of inspecting the surface shape, volume, density, atom distribution. Deformation of the polymer resist was found for various of the stamp geometry and the alignment state of the polymer molecules.