• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.7
• /
• pp.841-848
• /
• 2018

The flavonoid content and antioxidant effects of extracts from Stachys sieboldii Miq. and Lycopus lucidus Turcz were compared. The flavonoid content of the acetone + methylene chloride (A+M) extract of L. lucidus Turcz was 233.2 mg/g, suggesting that the extract was greater than that of S. sieboldii Miq. In the DPPH assay and the A+M and methanol (MeOH) extracts from L. lucidus Turcz had greater scavenging effects than those of S. sieboldii Miq. (p<0.05). The A+M extract from L. lucidus Turcz (0.5 mg/ml concentration) had an 82% scavenging effect in the DPPH assay. In the ABTS assay, A+M extracts from both S. sieboldii Miq. and L. lucidus Turcz (0.5 mg/ml concentration) had scavenging effects of 90% and 88%, respectively (p<0.05), suggesting that both A+M extracts had greater scavenging effects than those of both MeOH extracts. In a 120 min ROS production assay, all tested extracts dose-dependently decreased the cellular ROS production that was induced by $H_2O_2$, as compared to those produced by exposure to the extract-free control. The A+M extracts from both S. sieboldii Miq. and L. lucidus Turcz had greater inhibitory effects on cellular ROS production than those of both MeOH extracts at all concentrations tested. Treatment with the A+M extracts from S. sieboldii Miq. and L. lucidus Turcz (0.25 mg/ml concentration) inhibited the cellular ROS production by 60% and 86%, respectively. These results suggest that the A+M extracts of Stachys sieboldii Miq. and L. lucidus Turcz inhibit cellular oxidation and may contain valuable bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2018

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented garlic solution (FGS) on the performance, egg quality and blood profiles of laying hens in the finishing period. In total, 432 Lohmann Brown hens aged 79 weeks were equally distributed into four dietary treatments with six replicate. Hens were fed the basal diet containing 2,750 kcal/kg of ME and 16% of CP, which was supplemented with either 0% (control), 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.20% FGS from 79 to 83 weeks old. Laying performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids and serum characteristics were analyzed at the end of experiment. Egg production and feed conversion was numerically improved in FGS supplementation treatments compared to those in the control, but were not statistically different. The albumen height and Haugh unit showed significant increase (P<0.05) in the FGS supplementation groups. The concentration of saturated fatty acid decreased in the yolks of birds fed FGS (P<0.01), whereas the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and mono-UFA contents were significantly higher (P<0.01) in those treatments than in the control. Significantly lower natural fat and cholesterol in serum were observed in birds fed the 0.20% FGS supplementation diet (P<0.01). However, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in both the 0.10% and 0.20% FGS supplementation groups. In addition, interleukin-2 mRNA and CD4+/CD8+ level in serum which were cellular immunity indicators showed statistical differences (P<0.01) among treatments and a higher concentration in the 0.10% and 0.20% FGS groups than in the control. Thus, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation of FGS improved egg quality and stimulated immune response in mature laying hens.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.179-188
• /
• 2016

This study is aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Gastrodiae rhizoma and steamed, dried & fermented Gastrodiae rhizoma on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic injury in the mice model. Sample was selected to GR0F0 (not processed gastrodia rhizome) and GR6F4 (fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae before steamed and dried 6 times) based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, and High-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups - Normal group, vehicle group (LPS treated), GR0F0 group (fed GR0F0 before LPS treated) and GR6F4 group (fed GR6F4 before LPS treated) with 6 mice in each group. GR0F0 group and GR6F4 group were fed each extract 200 mg/kg/day during 8 days. LPS 20 mg/kg injected to the experimental groups as abdominal injection. We measured aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino-transferase in serum. GR0F0 and GR6F4 showed a significant decrease compared to the vehicle group. As a result of measuring the ROS, GR6F4 group showed a significant reduction in both the serum and liver tissues compared to the vehicle group. GR0F0 group showed a significant reduction only in the liver tissues. Activator protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and Inducible nitric oxide synthase were significantly decreased GR0F0 group and GR6F4 group. But tumor necrosis factor alpha only showed a significant reduction in GR6F4 group. GR0F0 and GR6F4 groups against liver damage in mice with LPS. That showed significant effects on anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action. The effects of GR6F4 group showed superior results compared to GR0F0 group. Therefore, Steamed, dried & fermented Gastrodia rhizoma was might have a protective effect on liver injury.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.243-251
• /
• 2019

Microplastics (MP) are found in large quantities in the oceans, posing a major threat to the ecosystem. In Korea, MPs have been reported to be detected in sea salts. In order to analyze MPs, information on their composition, size, and shape is required. FT-IR microscopy is used frequently to measure sizes larger than 20 ㎛. Recently, however, Raman microscopy, which can analyze ultrafine plastics below 20 ㎛, has been applied extensively. In this study, 10.0 g samples of commercially available salts were dissolved and filtered through a 45 ㎛ mesh filter with a size of 25.4 mm × 25.4 mm. These filtered samples were then analyzed by both FT-IR microscopy and Raman microscopy. A total of four MPs, including three polyethylene (PE) of size 70-100 ㎛ and a polypropylene (PP) of size 170 ㎛, were detected by FT-IR microscopy, while 10 MPs, including nine PE of size 10-120 ㎛ and one polystyrene (PS) of size 40 ㎛, were detected by Raman microscopy. Approximately, 1,000 MPs/kg was estimated, which was almost two times higher than the previous reported levels (~550-681 particles/kg in sea salts); this is because Raman microscopy can detect much smaller MPs than FT-IR microscopy. A total of 113 particles were found using Raman microscopy: Carbon (35, 31.5 %), minerals (28, 25 %), and glass (16, 14.4 %) were dominant, forming around 70% of the total, but MPs (10, 8.8 %) and cellulose (5, 4.5 %) were also found. Raman microscopy has great potential as an accurate method for measuring MPs, as it can measure smaller size MPs than FT-IR microscopy. It also has a reduced sample preparation time.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.129-134
• /
• 2005

Background : Ethambutol (EMB) is one of important first-line drug in the treatment of tuberculosis. Molecular techniques to detect embB gene mutations have been considered as an method to define the EMB resistance. We investigated the mutation rate within embB gene among EMB resistant strains using reverse hybridization techniques. Methods : We made 11 probes that had wild or mutated sequences containing codons 306, 406, or 497 within embB gene respectively. These probes were reverse-hybridized with PCR products amplified from embB gene which were isolated from 149 ethambutol resistant strains and 50 pan-susceptible strains. Results : Out of 149 ethambutol resistant strains, one hundred (67.1%) had mutation at least one base at codon 306, 406, or 497 in embB gene. Mutation at codon 306, 406, 497 were demonstrated in 75 (50.3%), 16 (10.7%), and 13 strains (8.7%) respectively. There were four strains that showed multi-mutation at codon 306 and codon 406 simultaneously. A high proportion (8.1%) had single mutation at codon 406. There was no mutation observed in embB gene among 50 pan-susceptible strains. Conclusion : Reverse hybridization will be useful technique for detection of gene mutation correlated to ethambutol resistance.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.160-166
• /
• 2005

Background : Although home oxygen therapy in hypoxemic patients with chronic lung disease has been increasing over the decade in Korea, the present state has not been known well. This study was done to know the situation of home oxygen therapy in a Korean university hospital. Methods : Between January 1, 2000 and August 31, 2003, 86 patients prescribed home oxygen therapy by the pulmonary physicians of Asan Medical Center were investigated using their medical record and questionnaire. Results : Patients (52 men, mean age of 61 years) with home oxygen therapy were increasing by every year. Underlying diseases were COPD (n=29), tuberculous destroyed lung (n=18), bronchiectasis (n=15), ILD (n=12), and others. Baseline $FEV_1/FVC$, FVC, and $FEV_1$ of patients were $58.4{\pm}25.2%$, $54.5{\pm}17.1%$ of predicted, and $41.7{\pm}20.6%$ of pred. Mean oxygen flow was 1.5 L/min and mean duration per day was 14.5 hours. During therapy, mean $PaO_2$ values have increased from 51.2 to 77.7 mm Hg and $PaCO_2$ values have increased from 47.5 to 49.6 mm Hg. Only 16.5% of the subjects were monitored by visiting nurses or pulse oximeter. Three year survival rate was 56.6% and hypercapnic patients showed better prognosis. Conclusion : The patients with home oxygen therapy were increasing yearly and a part of them were monitored. The hypercapnea respiratory failure patients would have better prognosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.579-589
• /
• 1996

Background : Activation of neutrophil is critical for the clearance of microorganisms and toxic host mediators during sepsis. Unfortunately the activated neutrophil and its toxic byproducts can produce tissue injury and organ dysfunction. The leucocyte CD11/18 adhesion complex regulates neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion, the first step in neutrophil migration to sites of injection and inflammation. To investigate the potential of neutrophil inhibition as a treatment strategy for sepsis, we evaluated the effects of monoclonal antibody against CD11b (MAb 1B6) in rats intrabronchial challenged with Escherichia coli. Methods : Animals were randomly assigned to receive monoclonal antibody against CD11b (1 mg/kg, sc) and bovine serum albumin(BSA, 1 mg/kg, sc) 6 hr before, at 0 and 6 hr after intrabronchial challenge of $20x10^9$ CFU/kg E. coli 0111. Animals were randomized to treat either 24, 60 or 90% oxygen after bacterial challenge and begining 4 hr after inoculation, all animals were received 100 mg/kg ceftriaxone qd for 3 days. Peripheral and alveolar neutrophil(by bronchoalveolar lavage) counts and lung injury parameters such as alveolar-arte rial $PO_2$ difference, wet to dry lung weight ratio and protein concentration of alveolar fluid were measured in survived rats at 12 hr and 96 hr. Results : Monoclonal antibody against CD11b decreased circulating and alveolar neutrophil especially more in 12 hr than in 96 hr The lung injury parameters of antibody-treated animals were not different from those of BSA-treated animals. but It was meaningless due to small number of survived animals. The early(6 hr) mortality rate was significantly increased in antibody-treated group(51%) compared to BSA-treated group(31%) (P=0.02) but late(from 12 hr to 72 hr) mortality rate was not different in antibody-treated group(44%) from BSA-treated group(36%) (P =0.089). Conclusion : Leucocyte CD11b/18 adhesion molecule is known to regulate neutrophil migration to the site of infection and inflammation. The monoclonal antibody against CD11b decreased alveolar neutrophil in rats with pulmonary sepsis and increased early mortality rate. Therefore, we can speculate that monoclonal antibody against CD11b blocks of alveolar recruitment of neutrophils, impairs host defense mechanism and increases early mortality rate of pulmonary sepsis in rat.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.290-297
• /
• 2009

In case of radiation treatment using small field high-energy photon beams, an accurate dosimetry is a challenging task because of dosimetrically unfavorable phenomena such as dramatic changes of the dose at the field boundaries, dis-equilibrium of the electrons, and non-uniformity between the detector and the phantom materials. In this study, the absorbed dose in the phantom was measured by using an ion chamber and a diode detector widely used in clinics. $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ EBT films composed of water equivalent materials was also evaluated as a small field detector and compared with ionchamber and diode detectors. The output factors at 10 cm depth of a solid phantom located 100 cm from the 6 MV linear accelerator (Varian, 6 EX) source were measured for 6 field sizes ($5{\times}5\;cm^2$, $2{\times}2\;cm^2$, $1.5{\times}1.5\;cm^2$, $1{\times}1\;cm^2$, $0.7{\times}0.7\;cm^2$ and $0.5{\times}0.5\;cm^2$). As a result, from $5{\times}5\;cm^2$ to $1.5{\times}1.5\;cm^2$ field sizes, absorbed doses from three detectors were accurately identified within 1%. Wheres, the ion chamber underestimated dose compared to other detectors in the field sizes less than $1{\times}1\;cm^2$. In order to correct the observed underestimation, a convolution method was employed to eliminate the volume averaging effect of an ion chamber. Finally, in $1{\times}1\;cm^2$ field the absorbed dose with a diode detector was about 3% higher than that with the EBT film while the dose with the ion chamber after volume correction was 1% lower. For $0.5{\times}0.5\;cm^2$ field, the dose with the diode detector was 1% larger than that with the EBT film while dose with volume corrected ionization chamber was 7% lower. In conclusion, the possibility of $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ EBT film as an small field dosimeter was tested and further investigation will be proceed using Monte Calro simulation.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.528-536
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to examine the effect of 0.4% of $CaCl_2$, $2H_2O$, $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of Calmodulin (CaM)-SH, 250-folds of coating agent (WE-36), 1,000-folds of $GA_{4+7}+BA$ and 3 types of paper bagging treatments on russet incidence and fruit quality attributes of 'Gamhong' apple. The pattern of russet occurrence was slightly different for 4 years (from 2012 to 2015) in 'Gamhong' apple. The russet occurrence was lowest in $GA_{4+7}+BA$ treatment at 20 days after full bloom (DAFB), compared with other treatments. The $GA_{4+7}+BA$ treatment increased fruit weight at 20 DAFB, while the other fruit quality attributes were not influenced. The russet occurrence was lower not only in a single bag application than in untreated ones but also in yellow bagging and discolored bagging applications than in a white bagging application. The russet occurrence in a bagging application was lower at 20 DAFB than at 30 and 40 DAFB, while fruit quality attributes were not affected by bagging applications. The russet incidence was lower in $GA_{4+7}+BA$ twice treatments at 20 and 30 DAFB, and calcium coated bag at 30 DAFB after $GA_{4+7}+BA$ treatment at 20 DAFB than in untreated fruit. The rate of russet incidence was lowest at equator region in $GA_{4+7}+BA$ treatment, compared with the other fruit regions. Overall, the results suggest that one and/or two applications of $GA_{4+7}+BA$ (1,000-folds) treatment at 20 DAFB should reduce the risk of russet incidence in 'Gamhong' fruit.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.186-189
• /
• 2007

More than 6,000 rare disorders including genetic diseases have been reported. Of them, 1,500 diseases (1,211 for clinical diagnosis and 289 for research only) are technically possible for genetic testing. In Korea, since 2005, only 63 genetic diseases is permitted for prenatal genetic testing by the "Bioethics and Biosafety Law". The article 25 in the law prescribes 63 genetic diseases without clear indication for its selection and inclusion criteria. In EU, USA, and other foreign countries, however, there is no provision in the statute on prenatal genetic testing; it is not restricted by a law. Recently, a woman (Mrs. L, 38y) who is a carrier for Menkes disease made an appeal to a government for an amendment of the "Bioethics and Biosafety Law" prohibiting the prenatal diagnosis of her pregnancy at risk for Menkes disease. Menkes disease (MNK) is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by neurodegeneration, connective tissue defects and hair abnormalities, and no effective treatment is available yet. The prevalence rate of MNK is one in about 250,000 live births. Menkes syndrome patients fail to absorb copper from the gastrointestinal tract in quantities adequate for meeting nutritional needs. These needs seem particularly acute during the initial 12 month of life, when the velocity of brain growth and motor neurodevelopment. Most of pts. die around 3yrs. of age. Mrs. L had a boy with Menkes disease who died at 2y.o. in 2001. Subsequent pregnancy in 2003, she was able to have prenatal genetic testing for mutation of the Menkes (ATP7A) gene and delivered a healthy baby boy. Now, She is pregnant again and wants to have prenatal diagnosis. however, this time, she was not allowed to have any more because Menkes disease is not included in 63 genetic diseases permitted by the law for prenatal genetic testing, in spite of the fact that she is a Menkes disease carrier and her pregnancy is at risk to have an affected baby. This case shows the practical problem of the legal restriction for prenatal genetic testing in Korea. In this study, we report a arguable case and discuss the controversial issues in the legal restriction for prenatal genetic testing in Korea.