• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 1978

The authors observed the ultrastructure of the mucous glandular epithelial cells in the amphibian skin by mean of electron microscope. The specimens from the experimental animals were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-oaraformaldehyde fixative in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2 prior to fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in graded ethanol and acetone, embedded in Epon 812 mixture, and sectioned with Sorvall MT-2 ultramicrotome. The ultrasections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed with a JEOL-100B electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. The cutaneous mucous glands in amphibia consisted of the glandular epithelial and the myoepithelial cells. 2. Several different cells in ultrastructure were observed in the mucous glandular epithelium of the adult amphibian skin. a. The dark and the light cells were observed in Hynobius leechi. b. The mitochondria-rich and the round secretory granule-containing cells were observed in Bombina orientalis. c. The round secretory granule-containing and the foam-like granule mass-containing cells were observed in Kaloula tornieri. d. The cutaneous mucous gland of Rana nigromaculata were divided into two types: A and B-type glands. In the A-type mucous gland, the mitochondria-rich and the round secretory granule-containing cells and in the B-type mucous gland, the mitochondria-rich, the secretory granule-containing and the ER-rich cells were observed. 3. Based upon the above findings, the authors infer that the mucous granular epithelium of the amphibian skin consists of the mitochondria-rich undifferentiated, the secetory granule-containing and mature, and the ER-rich evacuated cells.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1461-1478
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• 2022

The maintenance of poultry gut health is complex depending on the intricate balance among diet, the commensal microbiota, and the mucosa, including the gut epithelium and the superimposing mucus layer. Changes in microflora composition and abundance can confer beneficial or detrimental effects on fowl. Antibiotics have devastating impacts on altering the landscape of gut microbiota, which further leads to antibiotic resistance or spread the pathogenic populations. By eliciting the landscape of gut microbiota, strategies should be made to break down the regulatory signals of pathogenic bacteria. The optional strategy of conferring dietary fibers (DFs) can be used to counterbalance the gut microbiota. DFs are the non-starch carbohydrates indigestible by host endogenous enzymes but can be fermented by symbiotic microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This is one of the primary modes through which the gut microbiota interacts and communicate with the host. The majority of SCFAs are produced in the large intestine (particularly in the caecum), where they are taken up by the enterocytes or transported through portal vein circulation into the bloodstream. Recent shreds of evidence have elucidated that SCFAs affect the gut and modulate the tissues and organs either by activating G-protein-coupled receptors or affecting epigenetic modifications in the genome through inducing histone acetylase activities and inhibiting histone deacetylases. Thus, in this way, SCFAs vastly influence poultry health by promoting energy regulation, mucosal integrity, immune homeostasis, and immune maturation. In this review article, we will focus on DFs, which directly interact with gut microbes and lead to the production of SCFAs. Further, we will discuss the current molecular mechanisms of how SCFAs are generated, transported, and modulated the pro-and anti-inflammatory immune responses against pathogens and host physiology and gut health.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.441-447
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• 2023

Intravenous infusion therapy is a standard nursing procedure in medical institutions that provides patients with drugs, fluids, blood, and nutrients into the patient's mucus. It is mainly performed and managed by nurses. Additionally, it is an injection method that injects drugs directly into the blood vessels, and is used to achieve rapid results in emergency situations, and quick and accurate effects can be expected. Even experienced nurses through education and training often make mistakes, which can not only cause discomfort to patients but also cause various problems that threaten patient safety. Various studies are being conducted to reduce the pain caused by these mistakes. This paper acquired images of veins on the back of the hands of three subjects through an image detection device and conducted a study to derive an algorithm to provide clear vein images through image processing of the collected images. To sharpen the acquired vein images, existing algorithms Histogram Equalization, CLAHE, and Unsharp Masking were selected and combined. A histogram graph was used to compare images derived by applying individual algorithms and algorithm combinations to images. The histogram graph was checked by calculating the difference between the minimum and maximum values of distributed pixels and averaging them. The algorithm combination presented in this paper was 209.1, which was higher than the average values of individual algorithms of 138.7, 132.3, and 126.2, and it was confirmed that visibility was good even in actual images.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.24
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• 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive alternatives to conventional anti-asthmatic drugs for severe asthma. Mechanisms underlying the anti-asthmatic effects of MSCs have not yet been elucidated. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of intravenously administered MSCs, focusing on macrophages and monocytes. Seven-week-old transgenic (Tg) mice with lung-specific overexpression of IL-13 were used to simulate chronic asthma. MSCs were intravenously administered four days before sampling. We examined changes in immune cell subpopulations, gene expression, and histological phenotypes. IL-13 Tg mice exhibited diverse features of chronic asthma, including severe type 2 inflammation, airway fibrosis, and mucus metaplasia. Intravenous administration of MSCs attenuated these asthmatic features just four days after a single treatment. MSC treatment significantly reduced SiglecF^-CD11c^-CD11b⁺ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMs) and inhibited the polarization of MoMs into M2 macrophages, especially M2a and M2c. Furthermore, MSCs downregulated the excessive accumulation of Ly6c^- monocytes in the lungs. While an intravenous adoptive transfer of Ly6c^- monocytes promoted the infiltration of MoM and Th2 inflammation, that of MSC-exposed Ly6c^- monocytes did not. Ex vivo Ly6c^- MoMs upregulated M2-related genes, which were reduced by MSC treatment. Molecules secreted by Ly6c^- MoMs from IL-13 Tg mice lungs upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes in fibroblasts, which were also suppressed by MSC treatment. In conclusion, intravenously administered MSCs attenuate asthma phenotypes of chronic asthma by modulating macrophages. Identifying M2 macrophage subtypes revealed that exposure to MSCs transforms the phenotype and function of macrophages. We suggest that Ly6c^- monocytes could be a therapeutic target for asthma management.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1454-1463
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• 2023

Evaluating the antioxidant efficacy using Potentillae Chinensis Herba extract, the anti-inflammatory efficacy was tested in respiratory mucosal epithelium, RAW264.7 cells, and zebrafish. As a result, antioxidant activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner in DPPH free radical scavenging and ABTS+ cation radical activities. As a result of MTT assay for cell experiments, the survival rate of NCI-H292 cells was reduced to less than 70% when treated at each concentration of 100 ㎍/ml, subsequent experiments were conducted at 50 ㎍/ml. Anti-inflammatory efficacy evaluation, NO production, TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, and PGE₂ decreased, and COX-2 also decreased significantly at 50 ㎍/ml. The mucin protein expression of Potentillae Chinensis Herba extract and bioconverted extract, it was observed that MUC5AC expression was significantly reduced. In the zebrafish toxicity evaluation, concentrations below 50 ㎍/ml did not show embryotoxicity and showed anti-inflammatory efficacy by reducing NO production due to LPS. The above results are valid to be valuable for use as a functional material that suppresses inflammation by helping the expression of Potentillae Chinensis Herba's respiratory mucus proteins.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.439-447
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• 2024

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection, prevalent in more than half of the global population, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment in preventing gastric cancer highlights the need for improved diagnostic methods. This study aimed to develop a simple scoring system based on endoscopic findings to predict H. pylori infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,007 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Asan Medical Center from January 2019 to December 2021. Exclusion criteria included prior H. pylori treatment, gastric surgery, or gastric malignancies. Diagnostic techniques included rapid urease and ¹³C-urea breath tests, H. pylori culture, and assessment of endoscopic features following the Kyoto gastritis classification. A new scoring system based on endoscopic findings including regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC), nodularity, and diffuse or spotty redness was developed for predicting H. pylori infection, utilizing logistic regression analysis in the development set. Results: The scoring system demonstrated high predictive accuracy for H. pylori infection in the validation set. Scores of 2 and 3 were associated with 96% and 99% infection risk, respectively. Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of diffuse redness and sticky mucus in cases where the initial H. pylori eradication treatment failed. Conclusions: Our scoring system showed potential for improving diagnostic accuracy in H. pylori infection. H. pylori testing should be considered upon spotty redness, diffuse redness, nodularity, and RAC absence on endoscopic findings as determined by the predictive scoring system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.389-402
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• 2024

Propose: This study examined the antioxidant and anti-gastritis properties of a mixture comprising Ipomoea batatas (IB) extract and Dioscorea japonica (DJ) extract. Methods: The mixture of IB and DJ extracts was analyzed for its total flavonoid content (TFC), total polyphenol content (TPC), and radical scavenging activities. Gastric lesions were induced by treating rats with 1 mL of a solution containing 60% ethanol and 150 mM HCl. The rats were then divided into 5 groups: CON (normal control), HEC (treated with 150 mM HCl-60% ethanol and distilled water), IBE (treated with 150 mM HCl-60% ethanol and IB extract at 350 mg/kg body weight [BW]), ID30 (treated with 150 mM HCl-60% ethanol and a mixture of IB and DJ extracts in a 7:3 ratio at 350 mg/kg BW), and DJE (treated with 150 mM HCl-60% ethanol and DJ extract at 350 mg/kg BW). Results: The ID30 group exhibited significantly higher TFC, TPC, and radical scavenging activities than the groups treated with single extracts. This group also showed a notable decrease in the formation of gastric lesions and preservation of gastric wall mucus. In addition, the serum levels of the inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly lower in the ID30 group than in the HEC group. Conclusion: The antioxidants present in the ID30 mixture effectively reduced oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species, mitigating gastric mucosal irritation induced by alcohol and acid. Furthermore, the mixture inhibited gastric acid secretion and inflammatory marker expression, such as TNF-α, preventing tissue damage. These findings suggest that the ID30 mixture is a potential preventative treatment for gastritis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2007

Background: Airway mucus hypersecretion plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and is associated with the induction of MUC5AC expression in airway secretion. The MUC5AC gene is highly polymorphic; however, there are few studies about the association between the polymorphisms of the MUC5AC gene and asthma susceptibility or asthma phenotypes. We have investigated the association of MUC5AC promoter polymorphisms with the risk of asthma and asthma phenotypes. Methods: We determined the genotypes of the MUC5AC promoter (-1274G>A) in 78 asthma patients and in 78 age, sex-matched control individuals in the Korean population. Genomic DNAs from blood were analyzed by PCR and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) determination. We examined $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy (by a skin test) in asthma patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was $47.7{\pm}16.1$ years and 38.5% were men, and the mean $FEV_1$ was $84.4{\pm}22.3%$ of predicted in the asthma patients. The -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter in asthma patients was not significantly different as compared with normal individuals (GG 57.7%, AG 34.6% and AA 7.7% in asthma patients vs. GG 56.4%, AG 38.5% and AA 5.1% in control subject, p = 0.752, Cod). Several clinical parameters in asthma patients such as $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy, were not associated with the -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter. Conclusion: The -1274G>A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequency of the MUC5AC promoter was not associated with asthma in a Korean population.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1051-1062
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• 1997

Background : In asthma, airway obstruction is usually reversible, either spontaneously or with treatment. However, the responses to treatment are variable and some patients show an irreversible component of airflow obstruction. This may be associated with structural changes in the airway. To assess the relationship between the difference in airway reversibility and structural changes, we evaluated the HRCT findings and pulmonary function test. Methods : We studied 40 asthmatic subjects who had had acute exacerbation of symptoms and had showed normal chest X-ray findings. They had monitered PEFR daily, and had performed PFT and HRCT within three days after initiation of treatment. According to serial PEFR, they were grouped into 3 categories (Group 0 ; initial PEFR was within normal limit, Group 1 ; revealed increment of 30% in PEFR within 3 days after initiation of treatment, Group 2 ; revealed within 2 weeks) and then grouped again into 4 (Group 0, Group 3 ; reached to normal value of PEFR within 3 days after initiation of treatment, Group 4 ; within 2 weeks, Group 5 ; not within 2 weeks). Results : (1) Age in Group 0 was significantly lower than other groups(p<0.05), but there was no significance in other groups. (2) Duration of asthma in Group 2 was significantly longer than Group 0, 1(p<0.05). (3) FVC(%) and FEV1(%) were significantly decreased with delayed response to the treatment (p<0.05). (4) $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 1, 2 were significantly lower than Group 0(p<0.05). $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 5 was significantly lower than Group 0,3,4 (p<0.05). (5) Air trapping was increased significantly with delayed response to the treatment (p<0.05). (6) Mucus impaction in Group 0 was significantly larger than Group 1,2 (p<0.05). $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 0,4,5 were significantly larger than Group 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion : Difference in reversibility of airway obstruction was associated with age, duration of asthma and severity of initial airflow obstruction There was no definite difference in HRCT findings in asthma.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 1997

In the winter of 1995, mass mortality occurred in cultured flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus in Gurongpo, Kyoungbuk, Korea. From the observations of moribund and dead fish, parasitic ciliates, which were shown as white spots to the naked eye, were considered to be involved in the mass mortality. From heavily infected flounders, histopathological, morphological and biological characterization of these ciliates were carried out. In the histological observation, many ciliates were found under the epithelia of gill filaments and skin, and caused hyperplasia of epithelial and mucus cells at the infected areas. The ciliates found on the body surface, fins and gills were very similar to Cryptocaryon irritans. However the ciliates showed two different patterns of reproductian, i.e., typical form(palintomy)and atypical form(budding plus multiple fission) at $16^{\circ}C$ of water temperature. The occurrence ratio between typical and atypical form was about 3:2. Tomitogenesis takes 8-14 days in the typical and 13-15 days in the atypical form. In the viability test at different temperatures and salinities, the typical form died below 30‰ at $12^{\circ}C$, below 20‰ at $16^{\circ}C$, below 15‰ at $20^{\circ}C$, and below 25‰ at $24^{\circ}C$, respectively. On the other hand, the atypical form died below 20‰ at $12^{\circ}C$, below 15‰ at 16-$20^{\circ}C$, and below 25‰ at $24^{\circ}C$, respectively. The results suggested that the atypical has better viability at low salinity than that of the typical at low temperatures. In the excystment time and success rates of excystment according to temperatures, the typical form showed 8 days, 30% at $12^{\circ}C$ : 6.5 days, 50%, at $16^{\circ}C$ : 5.5 days, 75% at $20^{\circ}C$ : and 7 days, 10% at $24^{\circ}C$, respectively. On the other hand, the atypical form showed 15.5 days at $12^{\circ}C$ : 14 days, 76.6% at $16^{\circ}C$ : 12 days, 72.2% at $20^{\circ}C$ : 10 days 31.6% at $24^{\circ}C$, respectively. The results suggested that the atypical form had longer excystment time than that of the typical form at any temperature and showed better stability at low temperatures.