• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.42-49
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• 2019

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitations associated with chronic inflammatory response due to noxious particles or gases in the lung. Iron deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation, such as COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among iron deficiency, iron homeostasis, and inflammation in retired miners with COPD. Methods: The serum levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor(sTfR), and transferrin saturation(TSat) as biomarkers for iron deficiency and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP) as a biomarker for inflammation and hepcidin as a biomarker for iron homeostasis were measured in 93 male subjects. Iron deficiency was defined as any one or more of (1) sTfR>28.1 nmol/L, (2) TSat<16%, and (3) ferritin< $12{\mu}g/L$. Results: Iron deficiency was found 28% of the study subjects. Median levels of serum hsCRP was significantly increased related to airflow limitation of COPD(GOLD 1, $0.09{\mu}g/dL$ vs. GOLD 2, $0.17{\mu}g/dL$ vs. GOLD $3{\leq}$, $0.30{\mu}g/dL$, p=0.010), and was positively correlated with hepcidin(p=0.009). Mean level of serum hepcidin was lower in COPD subjects with iron deficiency(p=0.004) and serum levels of hepcidin was negatively correlated with %$FEV_1$ predicted(p=0.030). Conclusions: These results suggest that high serum levels of hepcidin are related to severe airflow limitation or inflammation and can decrease iron availability, regardless of iron status.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.952-961
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• 2024

Objective: Stocking density (SD) is an important issue in the poultry industry, which is related to the production performance, intestinal health and immune status. In the present study, the effects of SD on the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid as well as the related functions of the liver and kidney in ducks were examined. Methods: A total of 360 healthy 56-day-old Shan-ma ducks were randomly divided into the low stocking density (n = 60, density = 5 birds/m²), medium stocking density (n = 120, density = 10 birds/m²) and high stocking density groups (HSD; n = 180, density = 15 birds/m²). Samples were collected in the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks of the experiment for analysis. Results: The serum levels of uric acid, lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were increased significantly in the HSD group. Serious histopathological lesions could be seen in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group in the 9th week. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) and related pathway components (toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, and nuclear factor-κB) were increased significantly in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group. The mRNA expression levels of enzymes (adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1) related to the synthesis of uric acid increased significantly in the livers in the HSD group. However, the mRNA expression level of solute carrier family 2 member 9, which plays an important role in the excretion of uric acid by the kidney, was decreased significantly in the kidneys in the HSD group. Conclusion: These results indicated that a higher SD could cause tissue inflammatory lesions in the liver and kidney and subsequently affect the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid, and is helpful for guiding decisions related to the breeding and production of ducks.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.35.1-35.16
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• 2023

Defining the molecular dynamics associated with T cell differentiation enhances our understanding of T cell biology and opens up new possibilities for clinical implications. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of CD5 expression in CD8⁺ T cell differentiation and explored its potential clinical uses. Using PBMCs from 29 healthy donors, we observed a stepwise decrease in CD5 expression as CD8⁺ T cells progressed through the differentiation stages. Interestingly, we found that CD5 expression was initially upregulated in response to T cell receptor stimulation, but diminished as the cells underwent proliferation, potentially explaining the differentiation-associated CD5 downregulation. Based on the proliferation-dependent downregulation of CD5, we hypothesized that relative CD5 expression could serve as a marker to distinguish the heterogeneous CD8⁺ T cell population based on their proliferation history. In support of this, we demonstrated that effector memory CD8⁺ T cells with higher CD5 expression exhibited phenotypic and functional characteristics resembling less differentiated cells compared to those with lower CD5 expression. Furthermore, in the retrospective analysis of PBMCs from 30 non-small cell lung cancer patients, we found that patients with higher CD5 expression in effector memory T cells displayed CD8⁺ T cells with a phenotype closer to the less differentiated cells, leading to favorable clinical outcomes in response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. These findings highlight the dynamics of CD5 expression as an indicator of CD8⁺ T cell differentiation status, and have implications for the development of predictive biomarker for ICI therapy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.58-68
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• 2019

Objective: To compare digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and conventional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in the detectability of breast cancers in patients with dense breast tissue, and to determine the influencing factors in the detection of breast cancers using the two techniques. Materials and Methods: Three blinded radiologists independently graded cancer detectability of 300 breast cancers (288 women with dense breasts) on DBT and conventional FFDM images, retrospectively. Hormone status, histologic grade, T stage, and breast cancer subtype were recorded to identify factors affecting cancer detectability. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare cancer detectability by DBT and conventional FFDM. Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in cancer characteristics between detectability groups. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine whether the detectability score differed according to cancer characteristics. Results: Forty breast cancers (13.3%) were detectable only with DBT; 191 (63.7%) breast cancers were detected with both FFDM and DBT, and 69 (23%) were not detected with either. Cancer detectability scores were significantly higher for DBT than for conventional FFDM (median score, 6; range, 0-6; p < 0.001). The DBT-only cancer group had more invasive lobular-type breast cancers (22.5%) than the other two groups (i.e., cancer detected on both types of image [both-detected group], 5.2%; cancer not detected on either type of image [both-non-detected group], 7.3%), and less detectability of ductal carcinoma in situ (5% vs. 16.8% [both-detected group] vs. 27.5% [both-non-detected group]). Low-grade cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (22.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.026). Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-negative cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (92.3% vs. 70.5%, p = 0.004). Cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue were detected less often in the DBT only group than in the both-non-detected group (10% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.016). DBT cancer detectability scores were significantly associated with cancer type (p = 0.012), histologic grade (p = 0.013), T and N stage (p = 0.001, p = 0.024), proportion of glandular tissue surrounding lesions (p = 0.013), and lesion type (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Invasive lobular, low-grade, or HER-2-negative cancer is more detectable with DBT than with conventional FFDM in patients with dense breasts, but cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue might be missed with both techniques.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.342-355
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and play important role in bone remodeling. While our previous studies have investigated the cell subtypes and heterogeneity in osteoblasts and BMMSCs separately, cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs in vivo in humans have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular communication between human primary osteoblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods and Results: To investigate the cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs and identify new cell subtypes, we performed a systematic integration analysis with our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomes data from BMMSCs and osteoblasts. We successfully identified a novel preosteoblasts subtype which highly expressed ATF3, CCL2, CXCL2 and IRF1. Biological functional annotations of the transcriptomes suggested that the novel preosteoblasts subtype may inhibit osteoblasts differentiation, maintain cells to a less differentiated status and recruit osteoclasts. Ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed strong interaction between mature osteoblasts and BMMSCs. Meanwhile, we found FZD1 was highly expressed in BMMSCs of osteogenic differentiation direction. WIF1 and SFRP4, which were highly expressed in mature osteoblasts were reported to inhibit osteogenic differentiation. We speculated that WIF1 and sFRP4 expressed in mature osteoblasts inhibited the binding of FZD1 to Wnt ligand in BMMSCs, thereby further inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. Conclusions: Our study provided a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of osteogenic cells. At the single cell level, this study provided insights into the cell-to-cell communications between BMMSCs and osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts may mediate negative feedback regulation of osteogenesis process.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.57-66
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• 2024

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction that is only partly reversible, inflammation in the airways, and systemic effects. This study aimed to investigate the association between low peripheral oxygen saturation levels (SpO₂), and composite indices predicting death in male patients with (COPD). Method: A total of 140 participants with post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio less than 0.7 were included. Three composite indices (ADO, DOSE, BODEx) were calculated using six variables such as age (A), airflow obstruction (O), body mass index (B), dyspnea (D), exacerbation history (E or Ex), and smoking status (S). Severity of airflow limitation was classified according to Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. SpO₂ was measured by pulse oximetry, and anemia and iron deficiency were assessed based on blood hemoglobin levels and serum markers such as ferritin, transferrin saturation, or soluble transferrin receptor. Results: Participants with low SpO₂ (<95%) showed significantly lower levels of %FEV₁ predicted (p=0.020) and %FEV₁/FVC ratio (p=0.002) compared to those with normal SpO₂ levels. The mMRC dyspnea scale (p<0.001) and GOLD grade (p=0.002) showed a significant increase in the low SpO₂ group. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis revealed higher area under the curve for %FEV₁ (p=0.020), %FEV₁/FVC(p=0.002), mMRC dyspnea scale (p=0.001), GOLD grade (p=0.010), ADO (p=0.004), DOSE (p=0.002), and BODEx (p=0.011) in the low SpO₂ group. Conclusion: These results suggest that low SpO₂ levels are related to increased airflow limitation and the composite indices of COPD.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.114-122
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• 2004

본 연구는 임상영양 분야의 전문 웹사이트로서 당뇨병 환자를 위한 식사관리 및 영양상담 프로그램을 개발하기 위하여 수행되었다. 프로그램은 당뇨병에 대한 식사관리, 영양상담 및 재진상담, 영양평가 프로그램으로 구성하였다. 프로그램은 표준체중 및 열량 필요량 파일, 식품교환표 및 식단작성방법 파일, 식단표 파일, 당뇨뷔페 파일, 식품선택 및 식품정보 파일, 식사력 조사 및 평가 파일, 혈당수첩 파일, 식품 및 영양소 데이터베이스 파일, 음식 영양소 함량 및 영양소별 20순위 식품 파일 등을 데이터베이스로 하여 웹 페이지 형식으로 만들어졌다. 사용자는 인터넷 사이트로 들어가 자신의 정보를 입력하면 그 결과로 자신의 비만도 및 1일 열량 필요량이 제시되고 그에 알맞는 식단을 보고 이용할 수 있도록 하였다. 식사관리 프로그램에서는 열량별 식단 자료실을 두어 1,000 kcal에서 2,500 kcal까지 100 kcal 단위로 일주일간의 식단을 볼 수 있게 하였고, 식품의 선택방법, 식사요법 및 식품교환표, 식단작성방법, 당뇨뷔페, 영양소별 20순위 식품, 용어설명 및 관련 사이트를 소개하였다. 영양상담 및 재진상담 프로그램으로는 식사력조사 및 상담ㆍ평가, 혈당관리 및 평가, 식품섭취빈도조사, on-line상담 등이 있다. 영양평가 프로그램으로는 섭취음식을 입력함으로서 영양소 섭취상태, 열량 영양소, 식사별, 식품군별 영양소 섭취상태, 동ㆍ식물성식품 영양소 섭취상태, 기간별 영양소 섭취변화 등을 평가받을 수 있도록 하였다. 영양소 섭취상태는 사용자의 필요량과 비교하여 그래프로 제시되고, 열량 영양소, 식사별 영양소 섭취 상태는 아침, 점심, 저녁, 간식으로 구분하여 결과를 볼 수 있고, 동ㆍ식물성 식품 섭취 및 기간별 영양소 변화 등은 각각의 영양소별로 그 섭취상태를 비교할 수 있도록 하였다. 이에 본 프로그램이 당뇨병 환자들에게 널리 활용되어 그들의 건강증진에 이바지할 수 있기를 기대한다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.135-146
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• 1993

연구배경 : 급성 폐동맥색전증에서의 심폐기능 장애는 폐혈관계의 물리적 폐쇄와 신경체액성 반응에 의한 이차적인 기관지 및 혈관의 수축에 의하며, 혈소판에서 유리되는 serotonin이 체액성반응의 주 매개체인 것으로 알려져 있다. Positive End Expiratory Pressure(이하 PEEP 이라 칭함) 호흡요법은 성인성 호흡곤란증후군에서는 그 효과가 입증되어 널리 이용되고 있으나 폐동맥색전증에서의 역할은 아직 알려진 바 없다. 방법 : 연구자는 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 (이하 5-HT2라 칭함) 수용체의 선별 길항제인 ketanserin과 PEEP이 폐동맥색전증의 심폐기능 장애에 미치는 영향을 관찰하고 이들이 폐동맥색전증의 치료에 이용될 수 있을지를 검정해보기위해 한국산 잡견 13마리에 자가혈병을 이용하여 급성 폐동맥색전증을 일으킨후 대조군과 ketanserin 투여군, PEEP 적용군에서 환기 및 혈류역학의 제지표를 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 결과: 1) 폐동맥색전증을 일으키는데 사용된 혈병은 체중 Kg당 0.30~0.89($0.63{\pm}0.16$)gm 이었고 세 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었으며 평균 폐동맥압은 11~18($14{\pm}2$)mmHg 에서 색전증 유발 직후 38~46($42{\pm}2$)mmHg 까지 상승하였다. 2) 혈병 투여 30분후의 변화 혈병 투여 30분후 평균 폐동맥압 및 폐혈관저항은 증가하였고 심박출량은 감소하였으며, 동맥혈 산소분압과 산소운반량 및 혼합정맥혈 산소분압은 감소하였고 생리적 단락과 동맥혈 이산화탄소분압은 증가하였으며(p<0.05) 세 군간에 유의한 차이는 없었다. 대조군은 이후 실험기간중 상기 지표에 유의한 변화가 없었다. 3) Ketanserin 투여후의 변화 Ketanserin 투여후 대조군에 비해 평균 폐동맥압과 폐혈관저항은 낮았으며 심박출량은 높았고 생리적단락은 낮았으며 동맥혈 산소분압과 산소운반량은 높았다(p<0.05). 동맥혈 이산화탄소분압은 ketanserin 투여 30분후 감소하였다(p<0.05). 평균 전신동맥압은 ketanserin 122mmHg 에서 101mmHg로 하강하였고 한시간 후에는 투여전 수준으로 상승하였으며 통계적 유의성은 없었다. 혼합정맥혈 산소분압은 대조군에 비해 높은 경향을 보였으며 통계적 유의성은 없었다. 4) PEEP 적용군에서의 변화 PEEP 적용후 동맥혈 산소분압과 폐혈관저항은 증가하였고 심박출량은 감소하였으며 생리적 단락은 감소한 반면 산소운반량은 감소하였다(p<0.05). 한편 동맥혈 이산화탄소분압은 증가하였다(p<0.05). PEEP 제거후 평균 폐동맥압과 폐혈관저항은 감소해 대조군에 비해 낮았으며, 산소운반량과 심박출량은 증가해 대조군에 비해 높았다(p<0.05). 생리적단락은 대조군에 비해 낮았고(p<0.05) 동맥혈 이산화탄소분압은 감소해 대조군과 유의한 차이는 없었다. 혼합정맥혈 산소분압은 대조군에 비해 높았다(p<0.05). 5) 혈병 투여 4시간후 혈소판은 감소하였고 백혈구는 증가하였다(p<0.05). 결론 : 이상의 결과로 5-HT2 수용체의 선별 길항제인 ketanserin은 폐동맥색전증의 치료에 유용할 것으로 생각된다. 한편 PEEP용 적용증에는 혈류역학적 제지표가 악화되었으나 제거후에는 오히려 대조군에 비해 유의하게 호전되었으므로, 폐동맥색전증의 초기에 혈류역학적 상태가 허용되면 조심스럽게 단기간 적용해볼 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.384-389
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• 2009

본 연구는 한우, 제주흑우, Holstein에서 모색 발현 양상과 MC1R 유전자형의 분포에 따라 melanin 합성에 핵심적인 과정에 참여하는 3 가지 유전자(TYR, TYRP1, DCT) 유전자들의 발현 수준의 상호 연관관계를 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 반정량 Real-time RT-PCR 분석을 통하여, 세 가지 유전자의 발현 수준을 MC1R 유전자형이 e/e인 한우의 황갈색 부위, $E^+/E^+$인 제주흑우의 야생형 흑색 부위, $E^D/E^D$인 Holstein의 우성 흑반과 백반부로 대표되는 4 종류의 피부 조직에서 분석하였다. TYR, TYRP1, DCT 유전자 모두 Holstein의 흑반 부위에서 제주흑우의 흑색 부위에 비해 각각 4.5 배, 2.3 배, 2.5 배 이상의 유전자 발현 수준을 나타내었다(p<0.001). 또한, 제주 흑우의 이들 3 가지 유전자들의 발현 수준은 한우에 비해 유의적으로 높은 수준을 나타내었다(p<0.001). 이러한 결과들은 한우와 제주흑우, Holstein의 흑색 부위의 모색 발현 양상들이 이들 3 가지 melanin 생합성 유전자들의 전사 수준과 직접적인 연관이 있는 것으로 사료되며, 이는 한우 e/e, 제주흑우 $E^+/E^+$ Holstein의 $E^D/E^D$ 등 서로 상이한 MC1R 유전자형의 관여가 반영된 결과로 추정되었다. 결론적으로 본 연구는 MC1R 단백질의 상태가 TYR과 일련의 melanin 합성 주관 유전자들의 전사활성을 유도할 뿐만 아니라 소의 피부에서 총 melanin 함량의 수준을 결정함을 제시하고 있다.