• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.402-408
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate improving immune activities of natural water-soluble sulforaphane extracted from Brassica oleracea var. italica by nano encapsulation process. The nanoparticles of the sulforaphane extracted with ultrasonification process at $60^{\circ}C$ promoted human B and T cell growth, about $7{\sim}35%$ compared to the control. The secretion of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ from T cells were also enhanced as $2.6{\times}10^{-4}pg/cell$ and $2.1{\times}10^{-4} pg/cell$, respectively, by the adding nano samples. NK cell activation was improved about 8%, compare to the control in adding cultured medium of T cell added nano samples. It was also found that sulforaphane extracted from B. oleracea var. italica had highly inhibitory activity on hyaluronidase as $IC_{50}$ about $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. It can be concluded that natural water-soluble sulforaphane samples by nano-encapsulation, each size is 200 nm, extracted from B. oleracea var. italica has high immune activities through higher efficiency of bio-activation than conventional extracts.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2012

Ginseng has been used as an herbal medicine, widely used in Asian countries, for long time. Recently, beneficial effects for immune functions of Korean red ginseng (KRG) have been reported in adults. This study was performed to investigate the effects of ginseng on immune functions in children after cessation of chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation for advanced cancer. Thirty patients, who were diagnosed and treated for leukemia and solid cancer at the department of pediatrics and adolescence of the Yeungnam University Hospital from June 2004 to June 2009, were enrolled for the study. The study group consisted of 19 patients who received KRG extract (60 mg/kg/d) for 1 yr and 11 patients who did not receive KRG extract were the control group. Blood samples were collected every 6 mo. Immune assays included circulating lymphocyte subpopulation, serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma), and total concentrations of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM subclasses. Age at diagnosis ranged from 2 mo to 15 yr (median 5 yr). Nine patients received stem cell transplantation. The cytokines of the KRG treated group were decreasing more rapidly than that of the control group. Lymphocyte subpopulations (T cell, B cell, NK cell, T4, T8, and T4/T8 ratio) and serum immunoglobulin subclasses (IgG, IgA, and IgM) did not show significant differences between the study and the control groups. This study suggests that KRG extract might have a stabilizing effect on the inflammatory cytokines in children with cancer after chemotherapy.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1993.05a
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• pp.92-92
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• 1993

It is generally agreed that cellular immune functions are damaged by radiation therapy(RT). However, the exact effects of RT on peripheral lymphocytes are not yet clear. Authors previously reported the radiation effects on lymphocytes subpopulations, but these results merely showed the alteration of proportion of lymphocytes subpopulations after RT. So we try to evaluate the number of lymphocytes in each subpopulations as well as the proportion of subpopulations, and the recovery patterns of these alterations by time duraion after RT. The result shows that the proportion of subpopulations and number of lymphocytes in each subpopulations are decreased after RT except natural killer cells(NK cells), which proportion is increased but number is not changed, and these changes are stationary continued for post RT 6 months and then gradually recovered. However, the radiation effects on peripheral lymphocytes still remain after one year.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2013

PURPOSE. This in vitro study intended to investigate the mechanical and thermal characteristics of Valplast, and of polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin in which different esthetic fibers (E-glass, nylon 6 or nylon 6.6) were added. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Five groups were formed: control (PMMA), PMMA-E glass, PMMA-nylon 6, PMMA-nylon 6.6 and Valplast resin. For the transverse strength test the specimens were prepared in accordance with ANSI/ADA specification No.12, and for the impact test ASTM D-256 standard were used. With the intent to evaluate the properties of transverse strength, the three-point bending (n=7) test instrument (Lloyd NK5, Lloyd Instruments Ltd, Fareham Hampshire, UK) was used at 5 mm/min. A Dynatup 9250 HV (Instron, UK) device was employed for the impact strength (n=7). All of the resin samples were tested by using thermo-mechanical analysis (Shimadzu TMA 50, Shimadzu, Japan). The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey tests for pairwise comparisons of the groups at the 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS. In all mechanical tests, the highest values were observed in Valplast group (transverse strength: $117.22{\pm}37.80$ MPa, maximum deflection: $27.55{\pm}1.48$ mm, impact strength: $0.76{\pm}0.03$ kN). Upon examining the thermo-mechanical analysis data, it was seen that the E value of the control sample was 8.08 MPa, higher than that of the all other samples. CONCLUSION. Although Valplast denture material has good mechanical strength, its elastic modulus is not high enough to meet the standard of PMMA materials.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2001

This study was to identify the levels of perceived stress, immunity cells, physical health and depression, and their relationships among those variables in the elderly who institutionalized comparing home residents. The result of this study can be used as basic data when applying nursing interventions to increase quality of life in the elderly. The questionnaires to estimate stress, health status and depression were collected through direct interview from July to August in 1999 and immunity cells were measured by venous blood specimen collected from 9 to 10 A.M. during the same period. The collected data were analysed using SAS program. The results were as follows. The score of perceived stress of all subjects was 38.49 and perceived stress score of institutionalized elderly(42.62) was significantly higher than that in home resident elderly(34.52). All immune cells tested in this study such as total T cell, helper T cell, suppressor T cell, T4/T8 ration, total B cell, and NK cell, were all under the standard criteria of cells distributions. Most elderly who institutionalized and reside home replied that their health status was not good. However their physical health activity was mostly good even though institutionalized elderly had more disability than home residents. The highest rate was 67.3% as disability due to arthritis. The score of depression in all subjects was 8.2 that indicated having depressive symptom. There was no difference in the depression level between institutionalized elderly and home resided elderly. There was a significant correlationship between physical health and depression, however, the rest of varibles did not show any significant relationships. In summary, the immune cells in the elderly who replied perceiving low level stress, was under normal range. Their health status was perceived as 'not good' but physical health activity was perceived as 'good'. The relationships of stress, immunity, physical health and depression were partially significant but not had evidence as enough as theoretically the suggested relationship. We suggest that further studies using large sample size and more diverse variables should be performed.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence and clinical characteristics of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in North Korean defectors (NKD). Methods : The study population consisted of 300 NKDs registered in the multi-regional adaptation center (Hana Center), within three years of settling in South Korea. We conducted in-person interviews and a survey with each subject, based on the North Korean version of the WHO-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (NK-CIDI) and various clinical scales. Results : Lifetime prevalence of PTSD in NKDs was 15.3%, approximately nine times higher than South Koreans (1.7%). Although experiencing broader type of traumas with higher rate than South Koreans, NKDs revealed lower odds of PTSD in most type of trauma (p<0.05). Conclusion : NKDs are at higher risk of experiencing different types of trauma than the general population in South Korea, and it is further validated that prevalence of PTSD is also higher. Careful evaluation for comorbid psychiatric symptoms and type of traumas prior to PTSD treatment for NKDs is necessary to facilitate more appropriate intervention for each subject, according to personal experience.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1570-1579
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• 2019

The fungal products dibenzodioxocinones promise a novel class of inhibitors against cholesterol ester transfer protein (CEPT). Knowledge as to their biosynthesis is scarce. In this report, we characterized four more dibenzodioxocinones, which along with a previously described member pestalotiollide B, delimit the dominant spectrum of secondary metabolites in P. microspora. Through mRNA-seq profiling in $g{\alpha}1{\Delta}$, a process that halts the production of the dibenzodioxocinones, a gene cluster harboring 21 genes including a polyketide synthase, designated as pks8, was defined. Disruption of genes in the cluster led to loss of the compounds, concluding the anticipated role in the biosynthesis of the chemicals. The biosynthetic route to dibenzodioxocinones was temporarily speculated. This study reveals the genetic basis underlying the biosynthesis of dibenzodioxocinone in fungi, and may facilitate the practice for yield improvement in the drug development arena.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.444-454
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• 2021

Objectives: High natural killer cell activity (NKA) is associated with a clinically favorable status in patients with cancer. This study explores whether traditional Korean medicine (TKM) improves NKA in patients with cancer. Methods: We report three clinical cases involving patients with cancer who underwent NKA tests while they received TKM treatment, including acupuncture, moxibustion, wild ginseng pharmacopuncture, and Korean herbal medicines. We analyzed the treatment process and NKA test results of each patient. Results: The NKA of all three patients presented with an increasing tendency during the treatment process. Patient 1, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, received inpatient treatment 3 times between September 16, 2017 and February 27, 2019. The NKA increased from 7.2 pg/mL to 571.7 pg/mL. Patient 2, who had thyroid cancer, was hospitalized 4 times between July 23, 2019 and August 27, 2020. The NKA improved from 317.4 pg/mL to 2000 pg/mL. Patient 3, who had liver cancer, received inpatient treatment 4 times between May 27, 2016 and January 10, 2017. The NKA increased from 22.2 pg/mL to 459.5 pg/mL. The chief complaints of these patients also were alleviated. Conclusions: TKM may be an effective treatment for accelerating NKA. Further research is needed to establish evidence that TKM stimulates NKA.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.903-914
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• 2022

Probiotics are currently considered as one of tools to modulate immune responses under specific clinical conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether oral administration of three different probiotics (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CJLP243, CJW55-10, and CJLP475) could evoke a cell-mediated immunity in immunodeficient mice. Before conducting in vivo experiments, we examined the in vitro potency of these probiotics for macrophage activation. After co-culture with these probiotics, bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) produced significant amounts of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos) and co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) were also upregulated in BMDMs after treatment with some of these probiotics. To establish an immunocompromised animal model, we intraperitoneally injected mice with cyclophosphamide on day 0 and again on day 2. Starting day 3, we orally administered probiotics every day for the last 15 d. After sacrificing experimental mice on day 18, splenocytes were isolated and co-cultured with these probiotics for 3 d to measure levels of several cytokines and immune cell proliferation. Results clearly indicated that the consumption of all three probiotic strains promoted secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α. NK cell cytotoxicity and proliferation of immune cells were also increased. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that consumption of some probiotics might induce cell-mediated immune responses in immunocompromised mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2020

Asthma is a chronic disease and occurs in airway in the lung. The cause of the disease has not been identified, it is assumed that both genetic and environmental risk factors play an important role in the development of asthma. Interleukin (IL)-12 is a cytokine regulating T-cell and NK cell. In this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of IL-12 receptor genes (IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2) in asthma patients and normal individuals in a Korean population. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 using the genotype data of 193 asthma cases and 3,228 healthy controls from the Korea Association REsource for their correlation with asthma case. IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 genes showed statistically significant polymorphism association with asthma case. As a results, 16 SNPs from IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 genes showed statistically significant association with asthma. Among them, rs375947 SNP in IL-12Rβ1 showed the greatest statistical correlation with asthma (P-value = 0.028, Odds Ratio = 1.27, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.03~1.57). The groups with minor allele of IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 showed increased risk of asthma. The genotype-based mRNA expression analysis showed that the group of minor allele of IL-12Rβ1 showed decreased mRNA expression. Decreased IL-12Rβ1 expression causes decreased IL-12 signaling, and this affects developing asthma. In conclusion, the SNPs in IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 may contribute to development of asthma in a Korean population.