• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2000

The development of molecular biology has brought many changes in psychiatry. Molecular biology makes us possible to know the cause of mental disorders that provide the way to prevent the disorders, and to develop various accurate diagnostic and treatment methods for mental disorders. The author discusses the concept, cause, and treatment of mental disorders in the aspect of molecular biology. Importing the methods of molecular biology into psychiatry, we can anticipate to get a number of the goals of psychiatric genetics, including identification of specific susceptibility genes, clarification of the pathophysiological processes whereby these genes lead to symptoms, establishment of epigenetic factors that interact with these genes to produce disease, validation of nosological boundaries that more closely reflect the actions of these genes, and development of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions based on genetic counseling, gene therapy, and modification of permissive or protective environmental influences. In addition to their capacity to accelerate the discovery of new molecules participating in the nervous system's response to disease or to self-administered drugs, molecular biological strategies can also be used to determine how critical a particular gene product may be in mediating a cellular event with behavioral importance. Molecular biology probably enables us discover the environmental factors of mental disorders and allow rational drug design and gene therapies for mental disorders, by isolation of gene products that facilitate a basic understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders. A specific genetic linkage may suggest a novel class of drugs that has not yet been tried. With respect to gene therapy, the hypothetical method would use a gene delivery system, most likely a modified virus, to insert a functional copy of a mutant gene into those brain cells that require the gene for normal function.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.197-207
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• 2020

The current comparison methods with scoring systems that are used to compare visualized latent fingerprints (LF) have disadvantages. Evaluators using these methods are prone to make errors and fail to discriminate LFs correctly to notice the differences among those LFs. Therefore, a comparative and quantitative evaluation method that is capable of obtaining more objective and quantitative results is needed. Densitometric image analysis (DIA) is used in other fields as a reliable semi-quantitative comparison method. To apply DIA to LFs, the potential variables that can occur during the DIA process were tested. The visualized ridges of LFs can be compared using the concentration of dots against the background to make it possible to analyze the ridges with DIA. The variables that can be present during the DIA process include the thickness of the analysis line, the number of ridges to be taken, the number of divided zones within each of the fingerprints, and the angles of the analysis line against the ridge lines that were selected. From the analysis of the inked fingerprints and circular lines that are similar to fingerprints, the angle of the analysis lines with the ridge line was the most significant variable. The preliminary test result was applied to the comparison of LFs that were developed with the powder method and then compared with the AFIS analysis. A similar trend was found, and a more detailed and semi-quantitative comparison of the visualized LFs was possible. In the future, it is necessary to check the evaluative ability of the DIA method by analyzing the visualized LFs with other various development methods. However, DIA is currently an option that can be used as an objective comparative evaluation method during fingerprint studies with supplementary role.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2000

Recently, the incidence of pressure sore has been increased, due to increased number of patients with central nervous system injuries after traffic and industrial accidents or with long term loss of consciousness due to drug intoxication. The management of sacral pressure sore has been improved through the development of myocutaneous flap. However, sacrifice of the deep muscle cause some problems such as intraoperative bleeding, functional disabilities of donor site and further limitation of reconstruction for recurrent pressure sores in paraplegic patients. The development of perforator-based island skin flap introduce a new treatment modality for sacral pressure sores. We used perforator-based island skin flap in 15 cases with reasonable result from January 1998 to February 2000. This flap has a many advantages such as no significant sacrifice of the gluteus maximus muscle, wide rotation arc, reliable blood flow of the perforator, short elevation time for the flap, and no post-operative hindrance to walking in patients who are not paraplegic. There was no significant complication without significant sequelae and donor sites could be repaired primarily.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2004

It has been recognized that the hen, like its mammalian counterparts, provides young chicks with antibodies as protection against hostile invaders. This system facilitates the transfer of specific antibodies from serum to egg yolk, and provides a supply of antibodies called immunoglobulin Y(IgY) to the developing embryo and the hatched chick. The protection against pathogens that the relatively immune-incompetent newly hatched chick has, is through transmission of antibodies from the mother via the egg. Egg yolk, therefore, can be loaded with a large amount of IgY against pathogens which can immobilize the existing or invading pathogens during the embryo development or in day-old chicks. Thus, the immunization of laying hens to various pathogens results in production of different antigen-specific IgY in eggs. Egg yolk contains 8∼20 mg of jmmunoglobulins (IgY) per ml or 136∼340 mg per yolk suggesting that more than 30 g of IgY can be obtained from one immunized hen in a year. By immunizing laying hens with antigens and collecting IgY from egg yolk, low cost antibodies at less than $10 per g compared to more than $20,000 per g of mammalian IgG can be obtained. This IgY technology opens new potential market applications in medicine, public health, veterinary medicine and food safety. A broader use of IgY technology could be applied as biological or diagnostic tool, nutraceutical or functional food development, oral-supplementation for prophylaxis, and as pathogen-specific antimicrobial agents for infectious disease control. This paper has emphasized that when IgY-loaded chicken eggs are produced and consumed, the specific antibody binds, immobilizes and consequently reduces or inhibits the growth or colony forming abilities of microbial pathogens. This concept could serve as an alternative agent to replace the use of antibiotics, since today, more and more antibiotics are less effective in the treatment of infections, due to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.260-264
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• 2007

Peptides are frequently studied as candidates for new drug development. Recently, synthesized peptide library is screened for a certain functionality on a microarray biochip format. In this study, in order to replace the conventional cellulose membrane with glass for a microarray chip substrate for peptide library screening, we modified the glass surface from amines to thiols and covalently immobilized the peptides. Using trypsin-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) conjugate that could specifically bind to a trypsin binding domain consisting of a 7-amino acid peptide, we checked the degree of surface modification. Because of the relatively lower hydrophilicity and reduced surface roughness, the conjugation reaction to the glass required a longer reaction time and a higher temperature. It took approximately 12 hr for the reaction to be completed. From the fluorescence signal intensity, we could differentiate between the target and the control peptides. This difference was confirmed by a separate experiment using QCM. Furthermore, a smaller volume and higher concentration of a spot showed a higher fluorescence intensity. These data would provide the basic conditions for the development of microarray peptide biochips.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2020

Objectives: In the past few years, herbal medicines have gained popularity over synthetic drugs because of their natural source and minimal side effects which has led to a tremendous growth of phytopharmaceuticals usage. With the development of nanotechnology, it provides alternative approaches to overcome several limitations using nano-formulations. In spite of considerable quantity of antianemic preparations with different iron forms available, currently additives are used and represented in modern pharmaceutical market. Iron deficiency anemia is a major global public health problem which particularly affects pregnant women, children and elderly persons. The situation is complicated because of disadvantages and drug side effects from existing antianemic medicines. There is a great demand for the development of new antianemic preparations. Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, possess high potential in this field. Methods: Our study focuses on developing green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) of 10-50 nm with spherical shape where different dosages were used -1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg for exposure in Wistar albino female rats for 28 days. The toxicity was assessed using various parameters such as measurements of the rat body and organ mass, hematology, biochemical evaluation and histopathological examinations. Results: No significant differences were observed in body and organ weights. Hematological indices also indicated no significant differences whereas biochemical factors showed increase in levels of direct bilirubin and globulin of medium as well as high dose and SGPT levels were increased only in high dose. The major organs (heart, kidney and liver) showed histopathological alterations in 10 and 100 mg/kg whereas brain showed only in 100 mg/kg. Conclusion: The toxicity of IONPs was found to be more significant when the concentration was increased; however, low doses can be used for further investigation as an antianemic preparation.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2011

For the development of functional food and cosmetics using the hot water extract of Undaria pinnatifida, the concentrations of vitamin, amino acid and element and activities of antioxidant and nitrite scavenging were investigated. The results are shown as follows: Vitamin C and E concentrations were 0.301 and 0.11 mg/100 g, respectively. Mineral concentrations were an order of Ca > Mg > K > Fe. The concentrations of total amino acids were an order of Glu > Ala > Val > Leu > Gly > Pro. Total phenol concentration and DPPH radical scavenging activity were increased with the increase of the concentration of extract. Especially, when the extract concentrationwas increased from 1.0 to 10.0 mg/mL, the total phenol concentration was increased from 0.043 to 0.125 OD 725 nm. DPPH radical scavenging activity at 50 mg/mL was 70.1%. The antioxidant activity of extract was stable in range of 80 to $140^{\circ}C$ and pH 3-9. The nitrite scavenging activity was increased with the decreaseof pH and the increase of it's extract concentration. Especially, it was 83.4% at 50 mg/mL (pH 1.2). These results showed that the hot water extract of U. pinnatifida can be applied to functional food and cosmetics.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2021

We have previously reported that Acer tegmentosum extract, which is traditionally used in Korea to reduce alcohol-related liver injury, suppresses liver inflammation caused by excessive alcohol consumption and might improve metabolism. The active ingredient, 6-O-galloylsalidroside (GAL), was isolated from A. tegmentosum, and we hypothesized that GAL could provide desirable pharmacological benefits by ameliorating physiological conditions caused by alcohol abuse. Therefore, this study focused on whether GAL could ameliorate alcoholic fat accumulation and repair liver injury in mice. During chronic alcohol consumption plus binge feeding in mice, GAL was administered orally once per day for 11 days. Intrahepatic lipid accumulation was measured in vivo using a noninvasive method, ¹H magnetic resonance imaging, and confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured using a Konelab system, and the triglyceride content was measured in liver homogenates using an enzymatic peroxide assay. The results suggested that GAL alleviated alcohol-induced steatosis,e as indicated by decreased hepatic and serum triglyceride levels in ethanol-fed mice. GAL treatment also correlated with a decrease in the Cd36 mRNA expression, thus potentially inhibiting the development of alcoholic steatosis via the hepatic de novo lipogenesis pathway. Furthermore, treatment with GAL inhibited the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 and attenuated hepatocellular damage, as reflected by a reduction in ALT and AST levels. These findings suggest that GAL extracted from A. tegmentosum has the potential to serve as a bioactive agent for the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver and liver damage.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.26.1-26.12
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• 2018

Shigella spp. constitutes some of the key pathogens responsible for the global burden of diarrhoeal disease. With over 164 million reported cases per annum, shigellosis accounts for 1.1 million deaths each year. Majority of these cases occur among the children of the developing nations and the emergence of multi-drug resistance Shigella strains in clinical isolates demands the development of better/new drugs against this pathogen. The genome of Shigella flexneri was extensively analyzed and found 4,362 proteins among which the functions of 674 proteins, termed as hypothetical proteins (HPs) had not been previously elucidated. Amino acid sequences of all these 674 HPs were studied and the functions of a total of 39 HPs have been assigned with high level of confidence. Here we have utilized a combination of the latest versions of databases to assign the precise function of HPs for which no experimental information is available. These HPs were found to belong to various classes of proteins such as enzymes, binding proteins, signal transducers, lipoprotein, transporters, virulence and other proteins. Evaluation of the performance of the various computational tools conducted using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and a resoundingly high average accuracy of 93.6% were obtained. Our comprehensive analysis will help to gain greater understanding for the development of many novel potential therapeutic interventions to defeat Shigella infection.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.85-91
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• 2021

This study is a methodological study that explains the procedure for verifying effectiveness in developing practical guidelines for cognitive programs suitable for dementia patients. Based on the development of evidence-based new clinical practice guidelines, a preliminary recommendation for the domestic dementia patient care guidelines was developed. The practical guidelines consisted of the final four types, and the content validity score of the configuration items was 0.87 to 1 point. In the sub-categories of field applicability, appropriateness score was 3.95 to 4.34 points, applicability score was 3.57 to 4.27 points, and predicted effect score was 3.84 to 4.22 points. Through the examination of the content validity and field applicability of experts, it was confirmed that the practical guidelines developed in this study can be used as the basis for establishing an intervention plan for dementia cognitive program managers engaged in clinical practice. In future studies should further facilitate the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines to select appropriate treatment activities for dementia patients.