• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.271-279
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• 2022

Objective: To compare the clinical and radiologic findings between perforated and non-perforated choledochal cysts in children. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 1.7 ± 1.2 years) with perforated choledochal cysts (perforated group) and 204 patients (3.6 ± 3.8 years) with non-perforated choledochal cysts (non-perforated group) were included between 2000 and 2019. All patients underwent choledochal cyst excision after ultrasound, CT, or MR cholangiopancreatography. Relevant data including demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging findings, and outcomes were analyzed. Statistical differences were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test. Results: Choledochal cyst perforation occurred only in children under the age of 4 years. Acute symptoms, including fever (p < 0.001), were more common in the perforated group than in the non-perforated group. High levels of white blood cells (p = 0.004), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), and serum amylase (p = 0.002), and low levels of albumin (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the perforated group. All 14 patients with perforated choledochal cysts had ascites, whereas only 16% (33/204) of patients in the non-perforated group had ascites (p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients who had ascites, a large amount of ascites (p = 0.001), increase in the amount of ascites in a short time (p < 0.001), complex ascites (p < 0.001), and perihepatic pseudocysts (p < 0.001) were more common in the perforated group than in the non-perforated group. Conclusion: Children with perforated choledochal cysts have characteristic clinical and radiologic findings compared to those with non-perforated choledochal cysts. In young children with choledochal cysts, perforation should be differentiated in cases with acute symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, and characteristic ascites findings.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.360-371
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• 2018

Extracts and fractions of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge were prepared and their physiological activities and components were analyzed. Antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate and aglycone fractions were $78{\mu}g/ml$ and $31{\mu}g/ml$, respectively, for Staphylococcus aureus and $156{\mu}g/ml$ and $125{\mu}g/ml$, respectively, for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and aglycone fraction of A. asphodeloides extracts were $146.2{\mu}g/ml$, $23.19{\mu}g/ml$, and $71.06{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The total antioxidant capacity ($OSC_{50}$) in an $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) system were $17.5{\mu}g/ml$, $1.5{\mu}g/ml$, and $1.4{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The cytoprotective effect (${\tau}_{50}$) in $^1O_2$-induced erythrocyte hemolysis was 181 min with $4{\mu}g/ml$ of the aglycone fraction. The ${\tau}_{50}$ of the aglycone fraction was approximately 4-times higher than that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (${\tau}_{50}$, 41 min). Analysis of $H_2O_2$-induced damage of HaCaT cells revealed that the maximum cell viabilities for the 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and aglycone fraction were 86.23%, 86.59%, and 89.70%, respectively. The aglycone fraction increased cell viability up to 11.53% at $1{\mu}g/ml$ compared to the positive control treated with $H_2O_2$. Analysis of ultraviolet B radiation-induced HaCaT cell damage revealed up to 41.77% decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species in the $2{\mu}g/ml$ aglycone fraction compared with the positive control treated with ultraviolet B radiation. The findings suggest that the extracts and fractions of A. asphodeloides Bunge have potential applications in the field of cosmetics as natural preservatives and antioxidants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1236-1251
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• 1998

Background : TNF-$\alpha$ appears to be a central mediator of the host response to sepsis. While TNF-$\alpha$ is mainly considered a proinflammatory cytokine, it can also act as a direct cytotoxic cytokine. However, there are not so many studies about the relationship bet ween TNF-$\alpha$ level and lung injury severity in ALI, particularly regarding the case of ALI caused by direct lung injury such as diffuse pulmonary infection. Recently, a natural defense mechanism, known as the stress response or the heat shock response, has been reported in cellular or tissue injury reaction. There are a number of reports examining the protective role of pre-induced heat stress proteins on subsequent LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ release from monocyte or macrophage and also on subsequent LPS-induced ALI in animals. However it is not well established whether the stress protein synthesis such as HSP can be induced from rat alveolar macrophages by in vitro or in vivo LPS stimulation. Methods : We measured the level of TNF-$\alpha$, the percentage of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, protein synthesis in alveolar macrophages isolated from rats at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after intratracheal LPS instillation. We performed histologic examination and also obtained histologic lung injury index score in lungs from other rats at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24 h after intratracheal LPS instillation. Isolated non-stimulated macrophages were incubated for 2 h with different concentration of LPS (0, 1, 10, 100 ng/ml, 1, or 10 ${\mu}g/ml$). Other non-stimulated macrophages were exposed at $43^{\circ}C$ for 15 min, then returned to at $37^{\circ}C$ in 5% CO2-95% for 1 hour, and then incubated for 2 h with LPS (0, 1, 10, 100ng/ml, 1, or 10 ${\mu}g/ml$). Results : TNF-$\alpha$ levels began to increase significantly at 1 h, reached a peak at 3 h (P<0.0001), began to decrease at 6 h, and returned to control level at 12 h after LPS instillation. The percentage of inflammatory cells (neutrophils and alveolar macrophages) began to change significantly at 2 h, reached a peak at 6 h, began to recover but still showed significant change at 12 h, and showed insignificant change at 24 h after LPS instillation compared with the normal control. After LPS instillation, the score of histologic lung injury index reached a maximum value at 6 h and remained steady for 24 hours. 35 kDa protein band was newly synthesized in alveolar macrophage from 1 hour on for 24 hours after LPS instillation. Inducible heat stress protein 72 was not found in any alveolar macrophages obtained from rats after LPS instillation. TNF-$\alpha$ levels in supernatants of LPS-stimulated macro phages were significantly higher than those of non-stimulated macrophages(p<0.05). Following LPS stimulation, TNF-$\alpha$ levels in supernatants were significantly lower after heat treatment than in those without heat treatment (p<0.05). The inducible heat stress protein 72 was not found at any concentrations of LPS stimulation. Whereas the 35 kDa protein band was exclusively found at dose of LPS of 10 ${\mu}g/ml$. Conclusion : TNF-$\alpha$ has a direct or indirect close relationship with lung injury severity in acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. In vivo and in vitro LPS stimulation dose not induce heat stress protein 72 in alveolar macrophages. It is likely that 35 kDa protein, synthesized by alveolar macrophage after LPS instillation, does not have a defense role in acute lung injury.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2014

Azadirachta indica extract (AIE) has been regarded as a promising source of environment-friendly organic materials owing to their low mammalian toxicity. However, quite a bit of research has been reported that AIE may cause clastogens in human lymphocytes. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the antimutagenic and genotoxicity of two samples of AIE. Antimutagenic test was experimented by using bacterial reverse mutation test. In the bacterial reverse mutation test, five strains Salmonella Typhimurim of two samples of AIE in order to evaluate its mutagenic potential. Bacterial reverse mutation test was also performed on positive control and negative control groups in the presence of the metabolic activation system (S-9 mix) and metabolic non-activation system. In the chromosome aberration test, Chinese hamster lung cells were exposed to AIE for 6 or 24 h with BPS, or for 6 h with S-9 mix. Negative and positive control groups were experimented for chromosome aberration test. As a result, the number of mutated colonies induced by 4-NQO were reduced by AIE treatment in all strains, indicating that AIE may have antimutagenic effects. Bacterial reverse mutation and chromosomal aberration were not shown at all concentration of AIE, regardless of activation of the metabolic system. we concluded that two AIE samples used in this study have no genotoxic effects to human, according to the genotoxicity battery system suggested by ICH (International Conference on Harmonization).

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2013

Sophorae radix extract (SRE) has been registered as an environment-friendly organic material that is widely used in the cultivation of crops in Korea. Matrine, the active ingredient in SRE, was reported as a toxic substance in the nervous system in mice. However, no information is available on its toxic effects in other organisms. Therefore, antimutagenicity and two kinds of genotoxicity tests (bacterial reverse mutation and chromosome aberration test) of two samples of SRE were investigated in this study. Antimutagenicity test was experimented by using bacterial reverse mutation test. In the reverse mutation test, Salmonella Typhimurim TA98, TA1535 and TA1537 were used to evaluate the mutagenic potential of SRE. Bacterial reverse mutation test was also performed on positive and negative control groups in the presence of the metabolic activation system (with S-9 mix) and metabolic non-activation system (without S-9 mix). In the chromosome aberration test, Chinese hamster lung cells were exposed to SRE for 6 or 24 hours without S-9 mix, or for 6 hours with S-9 mix. Negative and positive control groups were experimented for chromosome aberration test. As a result, the number of mutated colonies induced by 4-NQO were reduced by SRE treatment in all strains, indicating that SRE may have antimutagenic effects. Reverse mutation was not shown at all concentrations of SRE, regardless of application of the metabolic activation system. In the chromosomal aberration test, one of the SRE sample gave a suspicious positive result at 250 ${\mu}g/ml$ in the presence of S-9 mix. For the more adequate evaluation of the genotoxic potential of SRE samples, other in vivo genotoxicity study is needed.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.350-359
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• 2007

The egg development and morphological change of larvae and juveniles of the starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus were observed in laboratory. Fertilized eggs of the species, 1.09~1.19 mm (mean $1.13{\pm}0.03mm$, n=50) in diameter, were floating, colorless, transparent in shape and lacked in oil globules. The eggs hatched out 121 hours after fertilization at water temperature $8.2{\sim}11.2^{\circ}C$. The size of the hatched larvae were 2.58~2.89 mm (mean $2.67{\pm}0.09mm$) in total length, their mouth and anus were not open yet and myotome number was 14+27=41. Melanophore and xanthophore appeared on the notochord and digestive organ and the margin of membrane fin, on the yolk sac and eyes were lacking in pigment cells. 5 days after hatching the larvae attained 4.30~4.97 mm (mean$4.74{\pm}0.21mm$) in TL, and their mouth and anus were open. 10 days after hatching the larvae transformed to postlarval stage and they were 4.67~5.75 mm in TL (mean $5.30{\pm}0.31mm$), and absorbing the yolk completely. Feeding activity increased as the mouth became larger. At 23 days, the larvae attained 6.69~8.82 mm in TL (mean $7.85{\pm}0.75mm$), and the right eye was started moving to the left side of the head. At 52 days, the juveniles attained 10.99~17.06 mm in TL (mean $13.50{\pm}1.67mm$). The right eye was moved completely onto the left side. All of the fins had completed set of the fin rays (D. 64~67: A. 45~51: P. 11: V. 6: C. 19).

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2000

Streptococcus salivarius is a normal inhabitant in the human oral cavity. Streptococcus salivarius 119 in this study was isolated from the oral cavity of child and identified, and its action mechanism on the formation of denal plaque by Streptococcus matans was studied. 1. The optical density of absorbance at 550 nm was 0.327 in the culture of Streptococcus mutans in disposable cuvette, whereas being 0.119 in the combined culture of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius 119. 2. The mean weight of produced artificial plaque on the wires in the beaker was 84.7mg in culture of Streptococcus mutans only, whereas being reduced to 12.3mg in the combined culture of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius 119. 3. When Streptococcus mutans was cultured in the media containing culture supernatant of Streptococcus salivarius 119 in BHI broth, the mean weight of produced artificial plaque was 100.5mg on the wires, whereas being reduced to 20.4mg in the media containing culture supernatant of Streptococcus salivarius 119 in BHIS broth. 4. The viable cells of Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus salivarius 119 were $4.8\times10^7\;and\;7.5\times10^8$ per ml respectively after each culture, wheras being $4.2\times10^7\;and\;5.8\times10^7$ per ml in the combined culture of Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus salivarius 119. 5. The polymer produced by Streptococcus salivarius 119 was glucan on the thin layer chromatography. 6. The glucan produced by Streptococcus salivarius 119 was water-soluble glucan containing $1\rightarrow6$ linkages as the main linkage on the thin layer chromatography. These results suggested that isolated Streptococcus salivarius 119 inhibited the formation of artificial plaque by the production of water-soluble glucan.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.28 no.3 s.68
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• pp.441-452
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• 1998

The c-fos is known as neuronal marker of second neurons which is activated by noxious peripheral stimulation. To investigate the changes of c-fos el(pression in the trigeminal nucleus complex during tooth movement, immunohistochemical study was performed. Experimental rats(9 weeks old, 210 gm 21 rats) were divided into seven groups(normal, 1 hour group, 3 hour group, 6 hour group, 12 hour group, 1 day group,3 day group). Rats in the normal group were anesthesized without orthodontic force. Rats in the experimental groups were applied orthodontic force (approximately 30 gm) to upper right maxillary molar. Frozen sections of brain stem were immunostained using rabbit antisera. The changes of c-fos expression were observed with respect to rostrocaudal distribution, laminar organization, md duration of orthodontic force application. The study results were as follows $\cdot$The c-fos nuclei in the dorsal part were observed from ipsilateral transition zone of subnucleus interpolaris and subnucleus caudalis to $C_1$ cervical dorsal horn rostrocaudally. The maximal peak point was the rostral part of subnucleus caudalis. The greatest proportion of c-fos cells were located within lamina I and II. $\cdot$The c-fos nuclei in the dorsal Part were observed from the most caudal part of subnucleus interpolaris to the middle part of the subnucleus caudalis. $\cdot$The number of c-fos immunoreactive dot increased at 1 hour group, reached its maximum at the 3 and 6 hour groups, and showed a decreasing trend after 12 hours. These results imply that nociceptive stimulation caused by continuous orthodontic force might be modulated by transition zone of subnucleus interpolaris and subnucleus caudalis, subnucleus caudalis, $C_1$ spinal dorsal hem.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 1993

Background: The Microbicidal and cytotoxic activities of neutrophils are to a large extent dependent on a burst of oxidative metabolism which generates superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and other reactive products of oxygen. The respiratory burst of PMN is initiated by intracellular calcium mobilization that follows immune or particular stimulation and is very sensitive to modulation by c-AMP or adenosine. Despite its antagonism against adenosine, earlier study has demonstrated potent theophylline inhibition of the PMN respiratory burst at variable ranges of blood concentrations of theophylline in the healthy normal volunteers and in the septic animals pretreated or early post-treated with aminophylline (AMPH) or pentoxifylline. However it is unclear whether theophylline inhibits the superoxide generation or not in the established human sepsis caused by acute pneumonia, as taking into consideration of the fact that full activation of neutrophils have occurred within minutes after the septic insult in the animal experiments. Methods: We measured the $O_2$ generation of peripheral arterial neutrophils obtained from 11 human septic subjects caused by acute pneumonia before and 1 hour after completion of continuous AMPH infusion. Patients were identified and studied within 48 hour of admission. All subjects were administered an intravenous loading and maintenance dose of AMPH. The generation of $O_2$ was measured at a discrete time point (60 min) by the reduction of ferricytochrome c.PMA (10 ${\mu}g/ml$) was used as a stimulating agent. PMNs were isolated at a concentration of $2{\times}10^6$ cells/ml. The arterial oxygen tension, blood pressure and heart rates were also checked to evaluate the systemic effects of AMPH in the acute pneumonia. Results: The mean serum concentration of AMPH at 60 minutes was $8.8{\pm}0.6{\mu}g/ml$. Sixty minutes after AMPH infusion the generatition of $O_2$ was decreased from $0.076{\pm}0.034$ to $0.013{\pm}0.004$(OD) (p<0.05) and from $0.177{\pm}0.044$ to $0.095{\pm}0.042$(OD) (p<0.01) in the resting and stimulated PMNs respectively. $PaO_2$ was not changed after AMPH infusion. Conclusion: AMPH may compromise host defense by significant inhibition of neutrophil release of superoxide anion and it had no effect on improving $PaO_2$ in the acute pneumonia.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2008

Tissue-specific and temporal regulation of milk protein gene expression is advantageous when creating transgenic animal that produces foreign protein into milk. Gene expression, i.e. protein production, is regulated not only by promoter strength but also mRNA stability. Especially, poly A tail length by polyadenylation affects in vivo and in vitro mRNA stability and translation efficiency of the target gene. In the present study, nucleotide sequence of 3'-UTR was analyzed to evaluate the effects of mRNA stability on the target gene expression. Based on the poly A signal of 3' -untranslated region (UTR), nucleotide sequences of putative cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) and downstream elements (DSEs: U-rich, G-rich, GU-rich) were analyzed and used to construct 15 luciferase reporter vectors. Each vector was transfected to HC11 and porcine mammary gland cell (PMGC) and measured for dual luciferase expression levels after 48 hours of incubation. Luciferase expression was significantly higher in construct #6 (with CPE 2, 3 and DSE 1 of exon 9) and #11 (with CPE 2, 3 and DSE 1, 2 and 3 of exon 9) than construct #1 in the PMGC. These results suggest that expression of target genes in PMGC may be effectively expressed by using the construct #6 and #11 on production of transgenic pig.