• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2004

This paper describes the development of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine as potential renal function diagnostic radiopharmaceutical and evaluation of its biological characteristics using experimental animals. l-Cysteine was labeled efficiently with $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl precursor $([^{99m}Tc(CO)_3(H_2O)_3)]^{+})$ under 30 min heating at ${75^{\circ}C}$. Labeling yield and stability were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The biodistribution property of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine in mice and its dynamic imaging profiles in rabbits were carried out. To investigate the excretion mechanism of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine, tubular transport inhibition test with probenecid was adopted. $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine was obtained with a high labeling yield under the moderate condition. The results of biodistribution experiments of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine in ICR mice at 3 and 90 min provided that $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine was very highly accumulated in the kidney and bladder, thereby almost 99% of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine was excreted within 90 min post injection. The same results were confirmed by the whole body dynamic images for 30 minutes and static images in rabbits at given time intervals after injection. Renogram of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine in rabbits showed that its $T_{max}$ and $T_{1/2}$ of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine were $2.33{\pm}0.56$ and $4.30{\pm}0.79$ min, respectively. The $T_{max}$ of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine with probenecid pretreatment was $2.30{\pm}0.17$ min, whereas $T_{1/2}$ of that with probenecid pretreatment was $17.0{\pm}32.47$ min. $T_{1/2}$ of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine with probenecid pretreatment was significantly different, as compared to the result without probenecid (p<0.0001). The results showed that the excretion of $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine was extremely affected by probenecid. Therefore, $^{99m}Tc$ tricarbonyl cysteine was rapidly excreted from the kidney principally by the tubular secretion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5987-5991
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• 2015

Our previous study detected aflatoxins in red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, each of which have a high incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Since the aflatoxin B1 concentration was not so high in these peppers, it is important to clarify the presence of other mycotoxins. Here we attempted to determine any associations between the concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (OTA) in red chili peppers, and the corresponding GBC incidences. We collected red chili peppers from three areas in Peru: Trujillo (a high GBC incidence area), Cusco (an intermediate GBC incidence area), and Lima (a low GBC incidence rate), and from Chile and Bolivia. Aflatoxins and OTA were extracted with organic solvents. The concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, and OTA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The values obtained were compared with the incidence of GBC in each area or country. All of the red chili peppers from the three areas showed contamination with aflatoxins below the Commission of the European Communities (EC) recommended limits ($5{\mu}g/kg$), but the OTA contamination of two samples was above the EC recommended limit ($15{\mu}g/kg$). The mean concentrations of OTA in the peppers from Chile (mean $355{\mu}g/kg$, range < $5-1,059{\mu}g/kg$) and Bolivia (mean $207{\mu}g/kg$, range $0.8-628{\mu}g/kg$), which has a high incidence of GBC, were higher than that in Peru ($14{\mu}g/kg$, range < $5-47{\mu}g/kg$), which has an intermediate GBC incidence. The OTA contamination in the red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru was stronger than that of aflatoxins. Our data suggest that OTA in red chili peppers may be associated with the development of GBC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.179-183
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women around the world, and mortality is primarily caused by micro-metastatic disease. The complex mechanisms of breast cancer invasion and metastasis are intrinsically related to the malignant cell type so that early detection of micro-metastases can help prolongation of survival for patient. The aim of the present research work was evaluation of the expression status of mammoglobin protein as a candidate molecular marker in the negative sentinel lymph node (SLN). Fifty tumor specimens, and 50 normal adjacent breast tissue samples from the same patients were selected on the basis of having more than 10% tumor content for RNA extraction from SLNs. Tumor samples and normal adjacent breast tissue were archived in the form of frozen fresh tissue in liquid nitrogen. Real-time PCR was performed on a Bioner life express gradient thermal cycler system. Mammoglobin gene overexpression in breast cancer metastasis was investigated. Single marker results were mammaglobin 66.7% and CK19 50.0%, with 58.3% for the two in combination. Due to improved outcome with at least 3 genes (83.3%), it seems, triple marker evaluation will be most likely useful for detecting micro-metastases instead of studying separate genes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3499-3503
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• 2016

Our recent studies conducted in South America have shown that mycotoxin contamination of red chili peppers (RCPs) may be associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Whether this relationship exists in India, a country with a high incidence of GBC and high consumption of RCPs, is unclear. We therefore measured concentrations of aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in RCPs from areas of low, medium, and high incidence of GBC in India, and compared these concentrations with GBC incidence in each area. Twenty-one RCP samples were collected from nine cities (eight from a low-incidence area, five from a medium-incidence area, and eight from a high-incidence area). Concentrations of AFs and OTA were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. No significant differences in mean concentrations of AFs and OTA were found in the three areas. AFB1 levels in the low-incidence area ($10.81{\mu}g/kg$) and high-incidence area ($12.00{\mu}g/kg$) were more than 2.2 and 2.4 times higher compared with the maximum permitted level of AFB1 in spices ($5.0{\mu}g/kg$) set by the Commission of the European Communities, or that ($4.4{\mu}g/kg$) obtained in our previous study in Chile. Our results show that the mean concentrations of mycotoxins in RCPs are similar among the three areas in India with different incidences of GBC. Further studies with human subjects are needed to evaluate any association between AFB1 and GBC.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2009

We discovered two novel phytotoxins produced by the pathogenic fungus, Botrytis cinerea. Among the twenty-five B. cinerea isolates, which were obtained from various host plants in 1994 and 1996, twenty-two showed strong or moderate pathogenicity on five plants such as cucumber, tomato, red pepper, tobacco and Chinese cabbage. The culture filtrate of the B. cinerea 2-16 strain showed the most potent phytotoxic activity in a tobacco leaf-wounding assay. Two novel phytotoxins were isolated from the liquid cultures of B. cinerea 2-16 by ethyl acetate extraction, flash silica gel column chromatography, silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, preparative TLC and subsequently preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were determined to be 3-O-acetyl botcinol and 3-O-acetyl botcinolide, respectively, by mass and NMR spectral analyses. These two phytotoxins caused leaf necrosis in a leaf-wounding bioassay, and significant electrolyte leakage from leaf tissues of tobacco. In the two bioassays tested, 3-O-acetyl botcinol exhibited stronger phytotoxic activity than 3-O-acetyl botcinolide. This is the first report on the production of both 3-O-acetyl botcinol and 3-O-acetyl botcinolide from B. cinerea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.383-388
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the effect of bioprocessed polysaccharides (BPPs) from liquid culture of Lentinus edodes fungal mycelia containing rice bran (BPP-RB) on a chicken-derived macrophage cell line, HD-11, when infected with Salmonella Gallinarum, an etiological agent of fowl typhoid. Experimental results demonstrated water extract of BPP-RB did not show growth inhibitory effects on S. Gallinarum 277. Protein expression profiles were also not altered by its treatment. Nonetheless, it could (i) enhance phagocytic activity of HD-11 cells, (ii) activate transcriptional expression of Th1-type cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, iNOS, as well as an immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, and (iii) negatively regulate Th2-type cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-6. Together results suggest that BPP-RB may be applicable for preventing fowl typhoid or other Salmonella infections in poultry farms as a potential feed additive.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.437-444
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• 2016

Background: Although Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally used for a long time, its anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms have been poorly understood. In this study, the anti-inflammatory roles of KRG-derived components, namely, water extract (KRG-WE), saponin fraction (KRG-SF), and nonsaponin fraction (KRG-NSF), were investigated. Methods: To check saponin levels in the test fractions, KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of these components were investigated using a macrophage-like cell line (RAW264.7 cells) and an acute gastritis model in mice. Results: Of the tested fractions, KGR-SF (but not KRG-NSF and KRG-WE) markedly inhibited the viability of RAW264.7 cells, and splenocytes at more than 500 mg/mL significantly suppressed NO production at $100{\mu}g/mL$, diminished mRNA expression of inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interferon-${\beta}$ at $200{\mu}g/mL$, and completely blocked phagocytic uptake by RAW264.7 cells. All three fractions suppressed luciferase activity triggered by interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), but not that triggered by activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappa B. Phospho-IRF3 and phospho-TBK1 were simultaneously decreased in KRG-SF. Interestingly, all these fractions, when orally administered, clearly ameliorated the symptoms of gastric ulcer in HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF might have anti-inflammatory properties, mostly because of the suppression of the IRF3 pathway.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2012

Dental amalgam is an alloy composed of a mixture of approximately equal parts of elemental liquid mercury and an alloy powder. Amalgam has been the most popular and effective restorative material used in dentistry. Despite the long history and popularity of dental amalgam as a restorative material, there have been periodic concerns regarding the potential adverse health effects arising from exposure to mercury in amalgam. Since children are more at risk for mercury toxicity, we aimed to assess the association between dental amalgam filling and urinary mercury concentration in children. 581 of elementary school children in grades 1st4th were conveniently recruited from two schools located in Daegu city, Korea. To obtain dental caries experience states, oral examination were conducted using the full term for DFS index, number of amalgam filling surfaces and the type of filling materials. A questionnaire was used to collect information about general characteristics and the frequencies of tooth brushing, gum chewing and fish/seafood consumption. The statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 18.0 program. The mean urinary mercury concentration in children having more surfaces was highest. As a results Urinary mercury concentration of children who have 79 teeth of amalgam filling and more than 10 is higher than without amalgam filling. The number of amalgam filling surface is closely related with urinary mercury concentration.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.363-375
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• 1990

The present investigation was performed to purify bombesin-like immunoreactivity (BBS-LI) from the skin of frogs, B. orientalis inhabiting Korea. For extraction of BBS-LI, the fresh skin of 360 g from frogs was immersed in 1,800 ml of 100% methanol and then kept at $4^{\circ}C$ for 5 days. BBS-LI was partially purified by liquid chromatography using an alkaline alumina column followed by a Sephadex G-10 column. BBS-LI was further purified by using sequential HPLC of reversed phase C18 preparation, gel permeation, SP-ion exchange and reversed phase C18 analysis. BBS-LI in fractions of each step was monitored by radioimmunoassay for which bombesin antiserum with a titer of 1 : 188,800 was raised in a guinea pig. Eventually, two different BBS-LI were successfully purified and each BBS-LI showed the following character. 1) BBS-LI was well separated into two peaks in SP-ion exchange HPLC. One (BBS-LI-K1) bound to the column while the other (BBS-LI-K2) did not. 2) BBS-LI-K1, 73.8% of total BBS-LI, was not differentiated from synthetic bombesin in reversed phase C18 analytical and gel permeation HPLC. 3) BBS-LI-K2, 26.2% of total BBS-LI, eluted later than synthetic bombesin in reversed phase C18 analytical HPLC, but it eluted with a retention time identical to that of synthetic bombesin in gel permeation HPLC. 4) The two forms of BBS-LI and synthetic bombesin identically stimulated gastrin release and pancreatic exocrine secretion including volume, protein output and amylase output in anesthetized rats. It is concluded from the above results that the skin of B. orientalis contains two different forms of BBS-LI which are very identical to bombesin immunologically and biologically. In comparison with synthetic bombesin containing 14 amino acid residues, the major form shows quite similar pattern in all HPLC used in the present study, but the minor form exhibits quite different pattern in SP-ion exchange and reversed phase C18 analytical HPLG.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2008

The present study describes the evaluation of the bioequivalence of two atorvastatin tablets, Lipitor $Tablet^{(R)}$ (Pfizer, reference drug) and Atorva $Tablet^{(R)}$ (Yuhan, test drug), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Forty-nine healthy male Korean volunteers received each medicine at the atorvastatin dose of 40 mg in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study with a two weeks washout interval. After drug administration, serial blood samples were collected at a specific time interval from 0-48 hours. The plasma atorvastatin concentrations were monitored by an high performance liquid chromatography -tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) employing electrospray ionization technique and operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and positive ion mode. The total chromatographic run time was 4.5 min and calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.1-100 ng/mL for atorvastatin. The method was validated for selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy and precision. $AUC_t$ (the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 48hr) was calculated by the linear log trapezoidal rule method. $C_{max}$ (maximum plasma drug concentration) and $T_{max}$ (time to reach $C_{max}$) were complied trom the plasma concentration-time data. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$. No significant sequence effect was found for all of the bioavailability parameters indicating that the crossover design was properly performed. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_t$ ratio and the $C_{max}$ ratio for Atorva $Tablet^{(R)}$ / Lipitor $Tablet^{(R)}$ were ${\log}\;0.9413{\sim}{\log}\;1.0179$ and ${\log}\;0.831{\sim}{\log}\;1.0569$, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of ${\log}\;0.8{\sim}{\log}\;1.25$. Based on these statistical considerations, it was concluded that the test drug, Atorva $Tablet^{(R)}$ was bioequivalent to the reference drug, Lipitor $Tablet^{(R)}$.