• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.255-259
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• 1993

${\beta}$-Carboline alkaloids of Polygala tenuifolia (Polygalaceae), an expectorant, tonic and sedative drude drug, were determined by HPLC. The alkaloids were separated by RP-18 column with gradient elution of 0.01M potassium phosphate buffer(pH=3.5) and acetonitrile and detected at UV 254nm. Two methods for the preparation of alkaloid fraction were compared. One was solvent extraction method using acid and base, and the other was solid phase extraction with ion exchange resin (Amberlyst 15). A more refined HPLC chromatogram was obtained using the solid phase extraction method. The alkaloidal contents in P. tenuifolia determined by this method were : harman $2.8{\times}10^{-3}%$, norharman $1.7{\times}10^{-3}%$, 1-carbomethoxy-${\beta}$-carboline $1.3{\times}10^{-3}%$, 1-carboethoxy-${\beta}$-carboline $1.4{\times}10^{-3}%$ and perlolyrine $3.3{\times}10^{-3}%$, respectively.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.10.1-10.11
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• 2017

Background: Transfer of pesticides from environment to animal products is inevitable, so the purpose of the present work was to evaluate phosalone consumption via feeding with or without sodium bentonite (SB) on performance, blood metabolites and its transition to milk of Iranian Baluchi sheep. Methods: Twenty Baluchi ewes were divided into four treatments (P1 as control, P2, P3, and P4) of five animals in which phosalone, an organophosphate pesticide, was given via diet (only for P2 and P3) at a dose of 280 mg/sheep/day for 63 consecutive days. The SB (32 g/sheep/day; for P3 and P4) was also evaluated for its ability to reduce deleterious effects of phosalone in the sheep diets. The control group (P1) did not receive any phosalone and SB during the experiment. Sampling was conducted in two periods of time including weeks 5 and 9. Results: Phosalone residues were observed in the milk samples of P2 and P3 groups during two sampling periods. During period 1, the transfer rate of phosalone from feed to milk was 0.23 and 0.02%, respectively for the contaminated diets (P2 and P3), which is relatively similar to period 2 (0.22 and 0.02%). Only 0.34 (period 1) and 0. 36% (period 2) of phosalone residue are excreted in the feces of P2 group following its daily consumption. Transfer of phosalone from feed to milk was affected (P < 0.05) by the dietary inclusion of a commercial SB, as it (SB) decreased excretion of phosalone via milk (P3). The phosalone and SB alone or together had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the dry matter intake (DMI) and body weight (BW) gain, but feed efficiency, milk production, milk fat, dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), albumin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) affected by the treatments in period 1 or 2 (P < 0.05). The Hb, RBC, and MCHC were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by about 9.72, 20.77, and 9.71%, respectively in the group P2 as compared to those of the control group during period 1. The AChE inhibitory activity (period 1 and 2) significantly increased when phosalone administered via the diet (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although there were no adverse effects on the performance of sheep following the intake of phosalone alone (P2 vs. P1), but other research on the long and short times to the phosalone in high and low doses with more animals is suggested. Overall, compared to the control group, addition of SB in the diet of sheep improved nutrient digestibility, animal performance, and milk health.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2012

While the ability to develop nanomaterials and incorporate them into products is advancing rapidly worldwide, understanding of the potential health safety effects of nanomaterials has proceeded at a much slower pace. Since 2008, Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) started an investigation to prepare "Strategic Action Plan" to evaluate safety and nano risk management associated with foods, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics using nano-scale materials. Although there are some studies related to potential risk of nanomaterials, physical-chemical characterization of nanomaterials is not clear yet and these do not offer enough information due to their limitations. Their uncertainties make it impossible to determine whether nanomaterials are actually hazardous to human. According to the above mention, we have some problems to conduct the human exposure risk assessment currently. On the other hand, uncertainty about safety may lead to polarized public debate and to businesses unwillingness for further nanotechnology investigation. Therefore, the criteria and methods to assess possible adverse effects of nanomaterials have been vigorously taken into consideration by many international organizations: the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic and Commercial Development and the European Commission. The object of this study was to develop risk assessment principles for safety management of future nanoproducts and also to identify areas of research to strengthen risk assessment for nanomaterials. The research roadmaps which were proposed in this study will be helpful to fill up the current gaps in knowledge relevant nano risk assessment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.837-842
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to develop bathing aids as a strategic products to promote the medical tourism in Sancheong Jirisan Oriental medicinal herbs special district using medicinal herbs produced in Sancheong province, and to verify the effect of the bathing aids in vitro. We investigated the cytotoxicity activity, antioxidant activity, antiaging and whitening effects of Sanchung-PNU 1 (SP1) and Sanchung-PNU 2 (SP2) made with traditional medicinal herbs. The cytotoxicity activity was measured by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH (1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity assay. We measured the inhibitory effect against tyrosinase activity to prove the whitening effect, and the inhibitory effect against elastase activity to prove the anti-aging effect. Two proposed prescriptions, SP1 and SP2, showed not significant cytotoxicity but significant (p<0.001) improvement in anti-oxidation, anti-wrinkle, and whitening effects compared to the control group. The result shows that these bathing aids have excellent DPPH radical scavenging effect and significant inhibitory effect against elastase and tyrosinase activity. These findings suggest that these bathing aids have a strong antioxidant, anti-aging, and whitening effect.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

Candida biofilms are organized microbial communities growing on the surfaces of host tissues or indwelling medical devices, and the biofilms show enhanced resistance against the conventional antifungal agents. The roots of Coptidis chinensis have been widely used for medicinal purposes in East Asia. The present study was aimed to assess the effect of C. chinensis aqueous extract upon preformed biofilms of 10 clinical Candida albicans isolates and the antifungal activities which contribute to inhibit the C. albicans biofilm formation. Its effect on preformed biofilms was judged using XTT [2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide)] reduction assay, and metabolic activity of all tested strains was reduced significantly ($57.3{\pm}14.7%$) at $98{\mu}g/ml$ of the C. chinensis extract. The extract damaged the cell membrane of C. albicans which was analyzed by fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide staining. The anticandidal activity was fungicidal, and the extract obstructed the adhesion of C. albicans biofilms to polystyrene surfaces, arrested C. albicans cells at $G_o/G_1$ as well, and reduced the growth of biofilms or budding yeasts finally. The data suggest that C. chinensis has multiple antifungal effects on target fungi resulting in preventing the formation of biofilms. Therefore, C. chinensis holds great promise for exploring antifungal agents from natural products in treating and eliminating biofilm-associated Candida infection.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 1999

This study was designed to examine the specificities of the designed primers for F. nucleatum and F. necrophorum and to compare the PCR results using clinical samples with those of the anaerobic culture method. F. nucleatum and F. necrophorum spp. are frequently isolated in infected root canals, and they are related to periapical diseases. F. nucleatum(VPI 10197) and F. necrophorum(ATCC 25286) were used as references for PCR reaction, and thirty five teeth with one canal and periapical lesion were used. The samples were cultured anaerobically and identified using Rapid ID 32A(BioMerieux Vitek, Inc., France) as biochemical battery. In the GenBank database, species-specific PCR primers(nuc1/nuc2 primers for F. nucleatum and nec1/nec2 primers for F. necrophorum) were designed from the 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA) sequences of F. nucleatum(accession number M58683) and F. necrophorum(accession number AF044948). PCR procedures of F. nucleatum(VPI 10197) and F. necrophorum (ATCC 25286) were simulated on a computer software. Amplify(v.1.2${\beta}$ for Macintosh). 820 bps and 817 bps of nucleotides were expected, respectively. Using extracted DNAs with QiaAmp tissue kit(Qiagen co., Germany), PCR was done. The results were as follows : 1. The nuc1/nuc2 primers produced an amplicon of 820 bps and the nec1/nec2 primers produced an amplicon of 817 bps. 2. The nuc1/nuc2 primers and the nec1/nec2 primers were specific and did not react with species other than the designated ones(i.e. nuc1/nuc2 primers did not produce amplicons for F. necrophorum, and vice versa.). And the PCR products of Porphyromonas endodontalis(ATCC 35406), Porphyromonas gingivalis(ATCC 33277), Prevotella intermedia(ATCC 25611), and Prevotella nigrescens(ATCC 33563), frequently isolated in infected root canals and periapical lesions, were not amplified by the primers specific for Fusobacterium nucleatum and Fusobacterium necrophorum. 3. This method utilizing PCR could detect F. nucleatum and F. necrophorum in clinical samples, while anaerobic culture method could detect neither.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2010

The aims of this study were to evaluate obesity-related dietary behaviors and to determine long-term exercise effects on obesity and blood lipid profiles in elderly Korean subjects. A total of 120 subjects, aged 60-75 yr, were recruited, and obesity-related dietary behaviors were determined. An exercise intervention was conducted with 35 qualified elderly females for 6 months, and body composition and blood lipids were measured 6 times at 4 week intervals. At baseline, mean BMI ($kg/m^2$) was 24.8 for males and 23.1 for females. The females had better eating habits than the males and were more concerned with reading nutrition labels on food products (P < 0.001); they also preferred convenience foods less than the male subjects (P < 0.05). Obese individuals were more likely than overweight or normal weight individuals to misperceive their weight (P < 0.001). Those with a high BMI responded feeling more depressed (P < 0.01), lacking self-confidence (P < 0.01), and feeling isolated (P < 0.01) as well as having more difficulty doing outdoor activities (P < 0.01). After exercise, body fat (%) and WHR were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while body weight and BMI were also decreased without statistical significance. Total cholesterol and blood HDL were significantly improved (207.1 mg/dl vs. 182.6 mg/dl, HDL: 45.6 mg/dl vs. 50.6 mg/dl, P < 0.05). Other benefits obtained from exercise were improvements in self-confidence (26.4%), movement (22.6%), stress-relief (18.9%), and depression (13.2%). In conclusion, elderly females had better eating habits and were more concerned with nutrition information and healthy diets compared to elderly males. However, misperceptions of weight and obesity-related stress tended to be very high in females who were overweight and obese, which can be a barrier to maintain normal weight. Long-term Danhak practice, a traditional Korean exercise, was effective at reducing body fat (%) and abdominal obesity, and improved lipid profiles, self-confidence, and stress.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.895-902
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• 2014

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has played important role as new functional material for food industry and industrial products based on its unique properties. The interest in BC from static cultures has increased steadily in recent years because of its potential for use in medicine and cosmetics. In this study, we investigated culture condition for BC production by Acetobacter sp. F15 in static culture. The strain F15, which was isolated from decayed fruit, was selected on the basis of BC thickness. The optimal medium compositions for BC production were glucose 7%, soytone 12%, $K_2HPO_4$ 0.2%, $NaH_2PO_4{\cdot}_2H_2O$ 0.2%, lactic acid 0.05% and ethanol 0.3%, respectively. The strain F15 was able to produce BC at $26^{\circ}C-36^{\circ}C$ with a maximum at $32^{\circ}C$. BC production occurred at pH 4.5-8 with a maximum at pH 6.5. Under these conditions, a maximum BC thickness of 12.15 mm was achieved after 9 days of cultivation; this value was about 2.3-fold higher than the thickness in basic medium. Scanning electron micrographs showed that BC from the optimal medium was more compact than plant cellulose and was reticulated structure consisting of ultrafine cellulose fibrils. BC from the optimal medium was found to be of cellulose type I, the same as typical native cellulose.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.335-342
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• 2008

The bioequivalence of two carbamazepine preparations was conducted. The in vivo bioequivalence study in 20 healthy male Korean volunteers was designed by using a single dose, randomized, 2-period crossover with a 3-weeks washout period between the doses. Prior to the in vivo study, an in vitro comparative dissolution test was performed by the paddle and basket method as described in the bioequivalence guidance of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Based on the similar dissolution pattern between two preparations in the dissolution test, the two formulations are demonstrated to be pharmaceutically equivalent. In addition, in vivo bioequivalence test was used to reconfirm the in vitro dissolution results. In the in vivo bioequivalence study, the plasma concentrations of carbamazepine up to 144 h after the administration were determined using a validated HPLC method with UV detection and the bioequivalence between the two drug products was assessed by statistical analysis of the log transformed mean ratios of $C_{max}$, $AUC_{0-t}$ and $AUC_{0-\infty}$. The mean maximum concentration ($C_{max}$) of the test and reference were found to be $1467.0{\pm}335.8\;ng/mL$ and $1465.9{\pm}310.3\;ng/mL$, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals (C.I.) of $C_{max}$ were in the range from 0.95 to 1.05. As for the $AUC_{0-t}$ and $AUC_{0-\infty}$, test values were $110027.1{\pm}27786.4\;ng/mL{\cdpt}h$, $128807.0{\pm}34563.2\;ng/mL{\cdot}h$ and $105473.6{\pm}26496.2\;ng/mL{\cdot}h$, $125448.5{\pm}35975.5\;ng/mL{\cdot}h$, respectively. The 90% C.I. of $AUC_{0-t}$ were 0.97 to 1.10 and of $AUC_{0-\infty}$, 0.99 to 1.09 and thus were within the log 0.8-log 1.25 interval proposed by the KFDA. A two-way ANOVA showed no significant difference between the two formulations. Based on these statistical analysis, it was concluded that the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.877-880
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• 2005

Purpose : Glycogen storage disease type Ia(GSD Ia) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase(G6Pase). The aim of the study was to investigate the spectrum of G6Pase gene mutations and relationship between genotype and clinical findings in Korean patients with GSD Ia. Methods : Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of 20 patients with GSD Ia. The five exons of G6Pase gene were amplified and PCR products were directly sequenced. The frequency of short stature, hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis and hepatic adenoma was compared between 727G>T homozygotes and 727G>T compound heterozygotes. Results : A total of 5 different mutations were identified. The most common mutation was the 727G>T with an allele frequency of 80%. All patients were either homozygous(12/20) or heterozygous(8/20) for the 727G>T mutation. G122D was found in 3 patients, P178A in 1, G222R in 2, and S339R in 2. There was no difference in the frequency of short stature, hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, nephrocalcinosis, and hepatic adenoma between 727G>T homozygotes and heterozygotes. Conclusion : Diagnosis of GSD Ia can be based on clinical and biochemical abnormalities combined with mutation analysis instead of enzymatic diagnosis that requires liver biopsy. Homozygosity for the 727G>T does not seem to alter the disease phenotype as compared with the heterozygous state.