• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.515-528
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the immunological activity and optimized the mixture conditions of Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) extracts in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: S. horneri was extracted using three different methods: hot water extraction (HWE), 50% ethanol extraction (EE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production (Interleukin-2 and Interferon-γ) were measured using a WST-1 assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The levels of nitric oxide and T cell activation production were measured using a Griess assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The natural killer (NK) cell activity was determined using an EZ-LDH kit. Results: Among the three different types of extracts, HWE showed the highest levels of splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production in vitro. In the animal model, three different types of extracts were administrated for 14 days (once/day) at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. HWE and SFE showed a high level of splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production in the with and without mitogen-treated groups, whereas EE administration did not induce the splenocyte activation. When RAW264.7 macrophage cells were treated with different mixtures (HWE with 5, 10, 15, 20% of SFE) to determine the optimal mixture ratio of HWE and SFE, the levels of nitric oxide and cytokine production increased strongly in the HWE with 5% and 10% of SFE containing group. In the animal model, HWE with 5% and 10% of SFE mixture administration increased the levels of splenocyte proliferation, cytokine production, and activated CD4⁺ cell population significantly, with the highest level observed in the HWE with 5% of SFE group. Moreover, the NK cell activity was increased significantly in the HWE with 5% of SFE mixture-treated group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The optimal mixture condition of S. horneri with immune-enhancing activity is the HWE with 5% of SFE mixture. These results confirmed that the extracts of S. horneri and its mixtures are potential candidate materials for immune enhancement.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2016

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high doses of dexamethasone (DEX) in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with high-dose DEX in the experimental group or saline in the control group on gestational days (GDs) 0.5 to 4.5. Pregnant mice were sacrificed on GDs 7.5, 13.5, or 18.5 and their peripheral blood, placentas, fetuses, and uterine tissue were collected. Decidual and placenta cell supernatants were examined to evaluate the effect of DEX on the proliferation of mononuclear cells, the quantity of uterine macrophages and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, and levels of progesterone and $17{\beta}-estradiol$, as determined by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We also were measured fetal and placental growth parameters on GD 18.5. Results: We found that high doses of DEX were associated with an increased abortion rate, enhancement of the immunosuppressive effect of the decidua, alterations in placental growth parameters, decreased progesterone and $17{\beta}-estradiol$ levels, and a reduced frequency of macrophages and uNK cells. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the high-dose administration of DEX during early pregnancy negatively affected pregnancy outcomes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2016

Neurokinin B (NKB) and neurokinin B related peptide (NKBRP) belong to tachykinin peptide family. They act as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator. Mutation of NKB and/or its cognate receptor, NK3R resulted in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in mammals, implying a strong involvement of NKB/NK3R system in controlling mammalian reproduction. Teleosts possess NKBRP as well as NKB, but their roles in fish reproduction need to be clarified. In this study, NKB and NKBRP coding gene (tac3) was cloned from Nile tilapia and sequenced. Based on the sequence, Nile tilapia NKB and NKBRP peptide were synthesized and their biological potencies were tested in vitro pituitary culture. The synthetic NKBRP showed direct inhibitory effect on the expression of GTH subunits at the pituitary level. This inhibitory effect was confirmed in vivo by means of intraperitoneal (ip) injection of synthetic NKB and NKBRP to mature female tilapia (20 pmol/g body weight [BW]). Both NKB and NKBRP had no effect on the plasma level of sex steroids, E2 and 11-KT. However, NKBRP caused declines of expression level of GnRH I, Kiss2 and tac3 mRNAs in the brain while NKB seemed to have no distinct effect. These results indicate some inhibitory roles of NKBRP in reproduction of mature female Nile tilapia, although their exact functions are not clear at the moment.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.67-84
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• 1997

Bujeonghangamtang(扶正抗癌湯) has been used for cure of tumor as a traditional medicine without any experimental evidence to support the rational basis for its clinical use. This study was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic or antitumoral effects of Bujeonghangamtang extract against tumor, and to carry out some mechanisms responsible for its effect. Some kinds of tumor were induced by the typical application of 3-methylcholanthrene. (MCA) or by the implantation(s.c) of malignant tumor cells such as leukemia cells(3LL cells) or sarcoma cells(Sl80 cells). Treatment of the Bujeonghangamtang water-extract (dailly 1mg／mouse, i. p.) was continued for 7 days prior to tumor induction and after that the treatment was lasted for 20 days. Against squamous cell carcinoma induced by MCA, Bujeonghangamtang decreased not only the frequency of tumor production but also the number and the weight of tumors per tumor bearing mice (TBM). Bujeonghangamtang also significantly suppressed the development of 3LL cell and S180 cell-implanted tumors in occurrence-frequency and their size, and some developed tumors were regressed by the continuous treatment of Bujeonghangamtang extract into TBM. In vitro, treatment of Bujeonghangamtang extract had no effect on the growth of some kinds of cell line such as FsaII, A431 strain but significantly inhibited the proliferation of 3LL, S180 cells and augmented the DNA synthesis of mitogen-activated lymphocytes. Bujeonghangamtang also stimulated the migrative ability of leukocyte, the MIF and IL-2 production of T lymphocytes, but not IL 6 production of B cells. Bujeonghangamtang-administration to mice enhanced NK cells activities. These results demonstrated that Bujeonghangamtang extract exhibited a significant prophylactic benefits against tumors and its antitumor activity was manifested depending on the type of tumor cells. And these results also suggested that effect of Bujeonghangamtang might be chiefly due to nonspecific enhancement of NK cell activities and cell-mediated immune responses.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2001

Precise mechanism by which the fetus can escape from mother's immune rejection is not well understood yet over the last 50 years. The clarification of immune mechanism at the feto-maternal interface is very important, because this can be a common pathogenesis of various pathologic conditions including spontaneous abortion, habitual abortion fetal growth restriction preeclampsia, implantation failure after assisted reproductive techniques, and fetal death. In this review, current hypothetical contents were described with the priority of importance: 1) The center of this mechanism is cross-talk between the expression of HLA-C, E, G on the extravillous cytotrophoblasts and their receptors on decidual NK cell, 2) immunomodulation, 3) innate immunity is the main immunologic mechanism, 4) various mechanisms besides HLA system(eq. complement) may be associated. The overall balance of immunomodulation among these mechanisms should result in the outcome of each pregnancy. Further researches regarding the regulation of HLA system, roles of cytokines, complements should be followed in the future.

• Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.341-349
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• 2001

본 논문은 N개의 노드로 구성된 파장분할다중화(Wavelength Division Multiplexing) 방식의 Passive Star형 광상호연결망에서 K개의 파장이 사용가능 할 때 패킷 전송 스케쥴링 문제를 다루고 있다. 모든 노드는 파장조율이 가능한 송신기와 특정 파장에 고정된 수신기를 각각 한 개씩 가지고 있으며, 하나의 패킷이 송신기로부터 수신기까지 전송되는 데에 걸리는 시간은 항상 일정하다고 가정한다. 최적의 패킷 전송 스케쥴이란 송신노드 입장에서 임의의 파장에서 다른 파장으로 송신기를 조율하는 데에 따른 지연시간(turning delay)을 고려하여 같은 시간에 최대한 많은 서로 다른 파장을 사용하도록 함과 동시에, 수신노드의 입장에서 수신된 패킷들의 광/전 변환에 따른 지연시간(conversion delay)을 고려하여 패킷의 수신간격을 일정하게 유지함으로써 모든 패킷이 최소시간 내에 전송될 수 있도록 언제 어떤 파장을 사용하여 패킷들을 전송할 것인지 결정하는 것을 말한다. 본 논문에서는 파장조율에 따른 지연시간을 $\delta$로 나타낼 때 모든 노드가 자기 자신을 제외한 다른 모든 노드에 주기적으로 전방송(all-to-all broadcast)을 반복하는 경우에 임의로 주어진 N, K, $\delta$의 값에 대하여 최적의 패킷 전송 스케쥴을 구할 수 있는 알고리즘을 제안하고 있다. 또한, N이 K로 나누어 떨어지면 최적의 전방송 주기는 [NK($\delta$+1)/{$N_2$-N-NK+K$^2$+K}](N-1)임을 증명하였다.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.147-168
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• 1997

Tish study was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic or antitumoral effects of Takrisodokyeum extract against tumor, and immunomodulatory effect. Some kinds of tumor were induced by the typical application of 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) or by the implantation(s.c) of malignant tumor cells such as leukemia cells(3LL cells) or sarcoma cells(S-I80 and Fas II cells). Treatment of the Takrisodokyeum water-extract(daily 1mg mouse, i.p.) was continued for 7 days prior to tumor induction and after that the treatment was lasted for 15 days. Against squamous cell carcinoma induced by MCA, Takrisodokyeum decreased not only the frequency of tumor production but also the number and the weight of tumors per tumor bearing mice (TBM). Takrisodokyeum also significantly suppressed the development of 3LLcell and S-180 cell by frequency and their size, and some developed tumors were regressed by the continuous treatment of Takrisodokyeum extract into TBM. However, when tumor was induced by FsaII cell-implantation, the growth of implanted cells in mice was delayed by the water extract of Takrisodokyeum until day 7 and then rapid growth ensued. In vitro, treatment of Takrisodokyeum extract had no effect on the growth of some kind of cell lines such as FsaII, A-131 strain but significantly inhibited the proliferation of 3LL, S-180 cells. Takrisodokyeum also stimulated the migrative ability of leucocyte, the MIF and IL 2-production of T lymphocytes, but not IL 6 production of B cells. Takrisodokyeum enhanced Arthus reaction and DTH to sheep erythrocytes, and NK cells activities. These results demonstrated that Takrisodokyeum extract different results according to the type of tumor cells. And these results also suggested that antitumor effect of Takrisodokyeum might be chiefly due to nonspecific enhancement of NK cell activities and cell-mediated immune responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.304-310
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• 2019

Interleukin-21 is a common ${\gamma}$-chain cytokine that controls the immune responses of B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells. Targeting IL-21 to strengthen the immune system is promising for the development of vaccines as well as anti-infection and anti-tumor therapies. However, the practical application of IL-21 is limited by the high production cost. In this study, we improved IL-21 production by codon optimization and selection of appropriate signal peptide in CHO-K1 cells. Codon-optimized or non-optimized human IL-21 was stably transfected into CHO-K1 cells. IL-21 expression was 10-fold higher for codon-optimized than non-optimized IL-21. We fused five different signal peptides to codon-optimized mature IL-21 and evaluated their effect on IL-21 production. The best result (a 3-fold increase) was obtained using a signal peptide derived from human azurocidin. Furthermore, codon-optimized IL-21 containing the azurocidin signal peptide promoted $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion and STAT3 phosphorylation in NK-92 cells similar to codon-optimized IL-21 containing original signal peptide. Collectively, these results indicate that codon optimization and azurocidin signal peptides provide an efficient approach for the high-level production of IL-21 as a biopharmaceutical.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.236-243
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• 2001

Background: An immunological approach for aging mechanism appears to be important. Lymphocyte subsets analysis in peripheral blood is widely performed to assess the immune status and to diagnose and monitor various diseases. Some lymphocyte subsets are known to change with age, but only few data about age-related reference ragnes for these subsets in healthy individuals have been reported. So we attempted to report reference ranges for these subsets in each age group and review changes of the results with age for the secondary studies about immune cell function as lymphocyte blast transformation and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement (VDJ) including recombination activating genes (RAG-1 and RAG-2). Methods: Lymphocyte subset analysis was performed on 302 subjects, 189 males and 113 females with age group of all decades of life. Two color direct immunofluorescene flow cytometry (FCM) was done using $Simultest^{TM}$ IMK-Lymphocyte kit (Becton Dickinson, USA), $FACScan^{TM}$ (Becton Dickinson, USA) and $FACSCalibur^{TM}$ (Becton Dickinson, USA). Lymphocyte subsets analysed were T ($CD3^+$) and B cells ($CD19^+$), helper/inducer T ($CD4^+$) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells ($CD8^+$), helper/suppressor ($CD4^+/CD8^+$) ratio and natural killer (NK) cells ($CD3^-CD16^+/CD56^+$). The absolute numbers of each subset were calculated from total lymphocyte counts. Data collected was analysed using SAS 6.12. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We reported the counts and percentages of lymphocyte and these subsets in each age group. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female subjects. The percentage of $CD4^+$ T cells, and the count of NK cells did not show the significant difference among the various age groups. The age-related changes observed in our study were as following: 1) a decrease in the percentages of T cells, B cells and $CD8^+$ T cells ; 2) a decrease in the counts of B cells and $CD8^+$ T cells ; 3) an increase in the percentage and count of NK cells ; and 4) an increase in the $CD4^+/CD8^+$ ratio. Conclusion: The characteristics of aging process appeared to be showing a marked decrease of lympocyte subsets T and B cells as well as T8 ($CD8^+$). The age-related increase of the percentage of cells bearing NK marker can be interpreted as a compensatory consequence to cope with the decrease of T cells related to the thymic involution. These changes with age appeared to be for the secondary study about immune cell function as lymphocyte blast transformation and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 1979

In order to observe the lasting effect of NK-compound mineral fertilizer and organic compound fertilizer including Myweon organic liquid fertilizer, a pot experiment was conducted with rice (Oriza Sativa) variety: Nong Back. These fertilizers were applied as basal and the same amount of urea form of nitrogen was top dressed about a month after transplanting, July seventh, 1977. Results obtained are as follows; 1. The lasting effect of various fertilizers were laid in following decreasing order; Myweon liquid < Organic compound fertilizer (Myweon coop. made) > NK-compound fertilizer (Chosun coop. made) Single fertilizer. It was considered that organic matter served as microbial feed and lead a temporary fixation of available plant nutrients in the soil, and the reduced surface area of the compound fertilizers slowed down the availability of the fertilizers. 2. The fertilizer showing greater lasting effect produced more panicles per hill and less grains per panicle than the fertilizers showing less lasting effect, and brought low maturity, which resulted in low paddy yield the paddy producing efficiency of nitrogen absorbed by straw was also low in the former fertilizers. Such advanced effect of the former fertilizer was considered to be related with the variety of early maturity and unseasonable topdressing of fertilizer which made at the maximum tillering stage. 3. For the production of Japonica type paddy with heavy fertilization which may required to depress the early growth a little and promote the late growth, it might be necessary to develop slow releasing fertilizers such as single fertilizer formulated to a large grains or compound fertilizer containing organic matter. 4. If the nitrogen content of paddy, Nong Back, far excess 0.64 or 0.65% and reaches 0.68% or above, the yield of the variety seemed to be decreased remarkbly through the low maturity rate and thousand grain weight.