• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.521-525
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Artemisinin (AT), an active compound in Arternisia annua, is well known as an anti-malaria drug. It is also known to have several effects including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. To date, the effect of AT on vascular disorders has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of AT on the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). MATERIALS/METHODS: Aortic smooth muscle cells were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC migration was measured by the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. Cell viability was determined by using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC was measured through $H_2DCF$-DA staining. We also determined the expression levels of signal proteins relevant to ROS, including measures of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 measured by western blot analysis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: AT ($10{\mu}M$ and $30{\mu}M$) significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC in a dose-dependent manner. The production of ROS, normally induced by PDGF-BB, is reduced by treatment with AT at both concentrations. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC treated with AT ($10{\mu}M$ and $30{\mu}M$) have reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibited MMP9 expression compared to untreated PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest, based on these results, that AT may exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect on PDGF-BB stimulated VSMCs by inhibiting their proliferation and migration through down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 phosphorylation.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.893-918
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• 2010

This article is purposed of reviewing the development history of Japanese dental devices and instrument, and their related advertisement activities during the Japanese colonized period in Korea in early 20th century. Japanese dental devices and instrument were redesigned to accommodate their ergonomic shape above the simple imitation, and it implies the excessive desires brought them frustrations. The tragic earthquake on Sep. l, 1923, medical insurance law enforcement on Jan. 1, 1927, celebration of "Cavity prevention Day" started on Jun. 4, 1928, and the attack of Manchuria and China by Japan after 1931, all of these historical incidents become the preliminary requirement for the development of dental devices. On Nov. 1, 1937, Japanese government started to control dental materials, driving the campaigns for excluding foreign products and encourging the use of local products. In 1939, Nakajima dental manufacturers used this political and social atmosphere on their advertisement as saying "Our Nakajima's products have no compromise with the short raw materials, but only commitment to our quality". Since after 1940, the price and supply have been strongly under control, and the control group was appeared to manage all of supply and distribution of raw materials, regular price system, and specifications. At last, the Japanese national power were devastated in its production and distribution capacities, and get to the frustrated period. The main advertised dental devices and instruments in Korea during the Japanese colonized period were 1) dental chair, unit and cabinet, 2) dental x-ray, 3) compressors, 4) dental needles, 5) small instrument and carryon medical(emergency) kit, 6) oral hygiene and pyorrhea alveolaris, infrared rays, sunlight lamp, ultrashort wave treatment devices, 7)crown former, electric furnace, casting machine, articulator, electric lathe, and laboratory equipments, etc.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2022

Erythrocytes deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is more susceptible to oxidative damage from free radical derived compounds. The hemolysis triggered by oxidative agents such as primaquine (PQ) is used for the radical treatment of hypnozoites of P. vivax. Testing of G6PD screening before malaria treatment is not a common practice in Thailand, which poses patients at risk of hemolysis. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence of G6PD in malaria patients who live in Southern Thailand. Eight hundred eighty-one malaria patients were collected for 8-year from 2012 to 2019, including 785 (89.1%) of P. vivax, 61 (6.9%) of P. falciparum, 27 (3.1%) of P. knowlesi, and 8 (0.9%) of mixed infections. The DiaPlexC genotyping kit (Asian type) and PCR-RFLP were employed to determine the G6PD variants. The result showed that 5 different types of G6PD variants were identified in 26 cases (2.9%); 12/26 (46.2%) had Mahidol (487G>A) and 11/26 (42.3%) had Viangchan (871G>A) variants, while the rest had Kaiping (1388G>A), Union (1360C>T), and Mediterranean (563C>T) variants. G6PD Songklanagarind (196T>A) variant was not found in the study. Our result did not show a significant difference in the malaria parasite densities in patients between G6PD-deficient and G6PD-normal groups. According to our findings, testing G6PD deficiency and monitoring the potential PQ toxicity in patients who receive PQ are highly recommended.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.30.1-30.9
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• 2022

Hereditary spastic paraplegia is a not common inherited neurological disorder with heterogeneous clinical expressions. ALDH18A1 (located on 10q24.1) gene-related spastic paraplegias (SPG9A and SPG9B) are rare metabolic disorders caused by dominant and recessive mutations that have been found recently. Autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia is a common and clinical type of familial spastic paraplegia linked to the SPG11 locus (locates on 15q21.1). There are different symptoms of spastic paraplegia, such as muscle atrophy, moderate mental retardation, short stature, balance problem, and lower limb weakness. Our first proband involves a 45 years old man and our second proband involves a 20 years old woman both are affected by spastic paraplegia disease. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the patients, their parents, and their siblings using a filter-based methodology and quantified and used for molecular analysis and sequencing. Sequencing libraries were generated using Agilent SureSelect Human All ExonV7 kit, and the qualified libraries are fed into NovaSeq 6000 Illumina sequencers. Sanger sequencing was performed by an ABI prism 3730 sequencer. Here, for the first time, we report two cases, the first one which contains likely pathogenic NM_002860: c.475C>T: p.R159X mutation of the ALDH18A1 and the second one has likely pathogenic NM_001160227.2: c.5454dupA: p.Glu1819Argfs Ter11 mutation of the SPG11 gene and also was identified by the whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Our aim with this study was to confirm that these two novel variants are direct causes of spastic paraplegia.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2013

Objectives: Endotoxins in dust generated in occupational settings is known to contribute to the occurrence of respiratory illness among workers. The relationship between the level of endotoxins in total dust or respirable particulates collected from swine farms and immunological markers related with respiratory allergy was evaluated among swine husbandry workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from ten workers at ten swine farms at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 48 hours. The levels of various cytokines produced at culture supernatants were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. The concentration of particulate matter($PM_{10}$) in the indoor air of the swine farms was evaluated using a PVC membrane filter and mini volume air sampler, and endotoxin levels in the dust were measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic QCL method. Results: Levels of endotoxins in the total dust were categorized into high(geometric mean: $109.35EU/m^3$) and low concentrations (geometric mean: $0.95EU/m^3$) for five swine farms. Interleukin-4 levels were higher in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group, while interferon-${\gamma}$ levels were lower in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. The ratio (interferon-${\gamma}$ to interleukin-4), indicating immunologic skewedness against allergic reactivities, was lower in the high endotoxin group($1.15{\pm}0.60$) than the low endotoxin group($3.09{\pm}2.38$). In addition, the level of interleukin-13, another cytokine contributing to the occurrence of allergic responses, was significantly higher in the at the high endotoxin group($1.12{\pm}0.37ng/m{\ell}$) than in the low endotoxin group($0.37{\pm}0.04ng/m{\ell}$). Hematologic assessment showed significantly lower cellularity in the number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. Conclusions: Even though a sufficient number of swine workers and farms were not investigated, this study generlly suggests that the immunological function of swine farm workers exposed to high levels of endotoxin could be modulated toward allergic reactivities.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 1996

Purpose : The incidence of measles was gradually decreased since 1963 when measles vaccination was firstly developed and liscenced in the world. But, recently the outbreaks of measles in infants and school children have been reported despite of wide spread use of measles vaccination. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of measles vaccination and the necessity of revaccination in Korean infants and children. Methods : 168 subjects of mothers and neonates, infants and children were enrolled in this study during the periods of 10 months from March to December in 1995. Measles specific IgG in the sera of mothers and children was measured using EIA kit (Sigma Co., MO, USA). Antibody titer of over or equal to 110 AU/ml was considered positive. Results : The results obtained were as follows. 1) Values of measles specific IgG in the sera of mother and neonate were 82.9 AU/ml and 89.3 AU/ml respectively and were rapidly decreased within 6 month after birth. Positive antibody levels (${\geq}$ 110 AU/ml) were observed in only 25 % of neonates. 2) In vaccinated children, values of measles specific IgG were 117.4 AU/ml in 9~15 month group, 76.9 AU/ml in 3~6 year group and 79.5 AU/ml in 10~15 year group after either one or two times of measles vaccination. Positive antibody levels in vaccinated children were observed in 57.7% of 9~15 month group, 38.4% of 3~6 year group and 34.7% of 10~15 year group. Conclusion : These results suggest that primary measles vaccination before 6 months of age can be considered and revaccination of measles should be recommended before 3~6 years of age. Further studies will be needed to clarify the reasons of high proportion of primary measles vaccination failure and to established the appropriate schedule of measles vaccination in korean infants and children.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.69-77
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• 2006

Background : Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in most of the tissue matrix, taking part in their regeneration when injury or damage occurs. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of cells with pluripotential characteristics in human subchondral bone and the capacity of these cells to differentiate to osteoblast. Methods : Human subchondral bone were digested with collagenase. Isolated cells were cultured with a-MEM, 15% FBS, 10-8M dexamethasone and 50 ng/mL ascoric acid. Cells from 0 day(isolated cells), 7 day (first subculture) and 14 days (third subculture) were used to carry out phenotypic characterization experiments flowcytometry analysis with 11 monoclonal antibodies) and osteogenic differentiation experiments. Osteogenic differentiation of cells was assessment by quantification of bone extracellular matrix components by following analysis: alkaline phosphatase(ALP) stains to detect ALP activity, RT-PCR and western blot to detect osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) and type I collagen(Col I), and Alizarin red stains to detect calcium deposition. Results : Flowcytometry analyses showed that in our population more than 98% of cells were positive for MSC markers: SH-2(CD105, 99%), CD29 (95%), CD73 (95%). Cells were negative for hematopoietic markers (CD11b, CD34, and CD45). Furthermore, cells showed positive stain to multipotent markers such as CDl17 (c-kit) (15.1%), and CD166 (74.9%), and cell adhesion molecules such as CD54 (78.1%) and CD106 (63.5%). The osteogenic specific marker analyses showed that the culture of these cells for 7 and 14 days stimulates ALP, OCN, OPN and Col I synthesis by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Also, after 14 days in the culture of MSCs induces mineralization by Arizarin red stain. Conclusion : In this work, we demonstrated a new and efficient method for osteoblastic differentiation of human subchondral bone stem cells. As MSCs takes part in reparative processes of adult tissues, these cells could play an important role in osteogenesis.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Reported some level of bacteria in areas that are well made contact in Radiology imaging room evaluate the importance of cleanliness in the hospital management of equipment to check for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Gwang-ju and Jeol-la city and medium-sized hospitals in the material with a cotton swab and rub evenly Radiology selection cassette, a handle, Apron of the imaging apparatus having the most contact with patients from July 2016 to August 2016 as a target in place and special studios 6, and saline solution will placed in a test tube containing. The swab sample was diluted 1,000 times, you can see the bacteria and the intestinal bacterial selective medium Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA), Muller-Hinton Agar (MHA), Eosin-Methylene Blue (EMB), ENDO(BD, NJ, USA) then incubated smear to. In the incubator (incubator, SANYO, Japan) was observed after incubation of bacteria and counting the total number of bacteria also Colonies (colony) suspected intestinal bacteria were isolated and cultured on KIA medium (BD, NJ, USA). As a result, it was found that this came Gram positive Coccus A hospital handle the F hospital, from the C Gram positive Coccus cassette and handle the F hospital. The striking yellow coloring Staphylococcus aureus 110 agar (STA 110) in the medium sample, but it is suspected staphylococcal Coccus to the final identification in the laboratory is not a single specimen of the two samples from Gram positive Coccus biochemical identification Identification Kit is an API could not, it was thought to be non-Staphylococcus aureus was cultured on blood agar suggesting that (BAP) blood of dance. Dynamic tests were conducted biochemical API kit of the two samples were identified from Gram positive Coccus bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) is F hospital cassette was confirmed Eenterobacter cloaca in A hospital possession. Did not aggregate O-26, O-111, O-157 and the serum test was conducted in the laboratory from the E. coli F cassette hospital.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1096-1106
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• 2018

Purpose: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the sixth most common cause of death in the United States. MicroRNAs have been identified as vital players in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. microRNA-128 (miR-128) has been shown to be dysregulated in AD. This study aimed to explore the roles and molecular mechanisms of miR-128 in AD progression. Materials and Methods: Expression patterns of miR-128 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR-{\gamma}$) messenger RNA in clinical samples and cells were measured using RT-qPCR assay. $PPAR-{\gamma}$ protein levels were determined by Western blot assay. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry via double-staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI. Caspase 3 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity was determined by a Caspase 3 Activity Assay Kit or $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 Transcription Factor Assay Kit, respectively. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay were used to investigate interactions between miR-128 and $PPAR-{\gamma}$ 3'UTR. Results: MiR-128 expression was upregulated and $PPAR-{\gamma}$ expression was downregulated in plasma from AD patients and $amyloid-{\beta}$ $(A{\beta})-treated$ primary mouse cortical neurons (MCN) and Neuro2a (N2a) cells. Inhibition of miR-128 decreased $A{\beta}-mediated$ cytotoxicity through inactivation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in MCN and N2a cells. Moreover, $PPAR-{\gamma}$ was a target of miR-128. $PPAR-{\gamma}$ upregulation attenuated $A{\beta}-mediated$ cytotoxicity by inactivating $NF-{\kappa}B$ in MCN and N2a cells. Furthermore, $PPAR-{\gamma}$ downregulation was able to abolish the effect of anti-miR-128 on cytotoxicity and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity in MCN and N2a cells. Conclusion: MiR-128 inhibitor decreased $A{\beta}-mediated$ cytotoxicity by upregulating $PPAR-{\gamma}$ via inactivation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in MCN and N2a cells, providing a new potential target in AD treatment.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.405-413
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• 2022

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the active utilization of new health care service utilizing the ICT technology and data science such as telemedicine, smart hospital, AI dignosis has been increasingly found. In this study we examined the business model of Amazon healthcare which leads disruptive innovation in U.S. health care industry with the introduction of hybrid model of telemedicin, in-person care and customer-centric online drug delivery, home-use diagnostic kit, characterized by the integrated model combining medical care, drug delivery and the use of diagnostic kit. We showed using the multiproduct competition model that the synergy effect between the Amazon's original business areas and the healthcare business area causes the active market penetration and the increase in the customer value from utilization of the Amazon care. Using Hotelling's spatial competition model, we also showed that the competition in the health care market can be greater when consumer's choice of health care providers are available in telemedicine platform. In the long, run the issue of competition being weakened due to the exit of less competent healthcare providers may arise, to which the policymakers in the charge of fair competition in health care industry should pay attention.