• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.651-657
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• 2019

Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it is still considered a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox has the potential for high mortality rates along with a major public health impact, eventually causing public panic and social disruption. Passive administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an effective intervention for various adverse reactions caused by vaccination and the unpredictable nature of emerging and bioterrorist-related infections. Currently, vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is manufactured from vaccinia vaccine-boosted plasma; however, this production method is not ideal because of its limited availability, low specific activity, and risk of contamination with blood-borne infectious agents. To overcome the limitations of VIG production from human plasma, we isolated two human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), (SC34 and SC212), bound to vaccinia virus (VACV), from a scFv phage library constructed from the B cells of VACV vaccine-boosted volunteers. The scFvs were converted to human IgG1 (VC34 and VC212). These two anti-VACV mAbs were produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells. The binding affinities of VC34 and VC212 were estimated by competition ELISA to $IC_{50}$ values of $2{\mu}g/ml$ (13.33 nM) and $22{\mu}g/ml$ (146.67 nM), respectively. Only the VC212 mAb was proven to neutralize the VACV, as evidenced by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) result with a $PRNT_{50}$ of ~0.16 mg/ml (${\sim}1.07{\mu}M$). This VC212 could serve as a valuable starting material for further development of VACV-neutralizing human immunoglobulin for a prophylactic measure against post-vaccination complications and for post-exposure treatment against smallpox.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the effect of branch (STB) and leave (STL) extracts from Sageretia thea on ${\beta}-catenin$ level in human colorecal cancer cells, SW480 and lung cancer cells, A549. STB and STL dose-dependently suppressed the growth of SW480 and A549 cells. STB and STL decreased ${\beta}-catenin$ level in both protein and mRNA level. MG132 decreased the downregulation of ${\beta}-catenin$ protein level induced by STB and STL. However, the inhibition of $GSK3{\beta}$ by LiCl or ROS scavenging by NAC did not block the reduction of ${\beta}-catenin$ protein by STB and STL. Our results suggested that STB and STL may downregulate ${\beta}-catenin$ protein level independent on $GSK3{\beta}$ and ROS. Based on these findings, STB and STL may be a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer and lung cancer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of branches from Taxillus yadoriki parasitic to Neolitsea sericea (TN-NS-B) against human lung cancer cells, A549. TY-NS-B dose-dependently suppressed the growth of A549 cells. TY-NS-B decreased ${\beta}$-catenin protein level, but not mRNA level in A549 cells. The downregulation of ${\beta}$-catenin protein level by TY-NS-B was attenuated in the presence of MG132. Although TY-NS-B phosphorylated ${\beta}$-catenin protein, the inhibition of $GSK3{\beta}$ by LiCl did not blocked the reduction of ${\beta}$-catenin by TY-NS-B. In addition, TY-NS-B decreased ${\beta}$-catenin protein in A549 cells transfected with Flag-tagged wild type ${\beta}$-catenin or Flag-tagged S33/S37/T41 mutant ${\beta}$-catenin construct. Our results suggested that TN-NS-B may downregulate ${\beta}$-catenin protein level independent on $GSK3{\beta}$-induced ${\beta}$-catenin phosphorylation. Based on these findings, TY-NS-B may be a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human lung cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in image quality before and after reducing the amount of contrast medium in cerebral hemorrhagic patients who periodically follow up CT, and after reducing the amount of contrast medium, the image before and after reduction was examined, and the image quality was assessed by setting ROI at each vessel location using MMWP program. First Rt. CCA, Lt.CCA. Rt.MCA, Lt.MCA and Basilar Artery each got an ROI. Second, the mean and standard deviation values for the ROI were obtained. Third, SNR and CNR were obtained through the average and standard deviation values obtained. T-test statistics show that the SNR and CNR values obtained show that the result values for SNR are Rt.CCA 0.765, Ltd.CCA 0.871, Rt.MCA 0.343 LT.MCA 0.235, Basilar alternative 0.916, result value for CNR Rt.CCA 0.088, Ltd.CCA 0.069, Rt.MCA 0.818, Let's...MCA 0.579 and Basilar Artery 0.878. The results obtained through the obtained SNR and CNR values showed no difference in the quality of the images before and after reducing contrast medium. Therefore, we hope that this study will be an indicator that reduces the burden on contrast agents on patients who do CT examinations periodically.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.122-130
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• 2020

Objectives: This study is a practice based research conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a 5-day short-term diet program ('Oil-rescue' program) designed to reduce the adverse events and initial dropout rate in obesity treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4 Korean medicine clinic patient data who completed 'Oil-rescue' program which is consisting of Gambi-hwan, Bium-hwan, Butgiban-hwan and Jayoon Kyungokgo. The weight change before and after participating 'Oil-rescue' program was primary outcome of our study. Changes in body mass index, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, body water content, lean body mass, protein, and minerals were also measured. Results: A total of 35 patients who satisfied the eligible criteria were finally included. The body weight decreased from 69.45±11.86 kg to 67.43±11.58 kg, a total of 2.02±1.03 kg (P<0.001). Body fat mass decreased from 25.77±7.45 kg to 24.98±7.26 kg, a total of 0.78±1.21 kg (P<0.001). Body mass index decreased from 26.39±3.64 kg/㎡ to 25.64±3.49 kg/㎡, a total of 0.75±0.41 kg/㎡. (P<0.001). A total of 15 patients had side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, but all were mild. 16 out of 35 people switched to long-term obesity treatment programs. Conclusions: Through this retrospective practice based research, it was found that the 'Oil-rescue' program effectively reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index, and the other obesity related parameters. It was a relatively safe and effective short-term obesity treatment program.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2018

Coffee is a commonly consumed beverage that contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acid, cafestol, trigonelline, and kahweol. Lactobacillus plantarum is a lactic acid bacterium most frequently used in the fermentation of food products of plant origin. L. plantarum is able to degrade some food phenolic compounds and provide high value-added compounds such as powerful antioxidants or food additives approved as flavouring agents. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee extract fermented by L. plantarum on RAW264.7 macrophages. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, these coffee extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory activities through the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase expression. Fermented coffee extracts significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, interleukin $1{\beta}$, interleukin 6, and interferon ${\gamma}$. Cyclooxygenase-2, which is one of the key biomarkers for inflammation, was significantly suppressed. These results might be helpful for understanding the anti-inflammatory mechanism of fermented coffee extract on immune cells and, moreover, suggest that fermented coffee extract may be a beneficial anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.238-243
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• 1981

This experiment was carried out to study the availability of Korean peat as a main carrier material of rhizobial inoculant, using the alfalfa strain Rhizobium meliloti M 14 which was isolated in the previous report. Modification of powdered peat with calcium carbonate and other materials was studied; inoculation of the peat with culture broth, maturation of the mixture under different conditions, and survival of the strain in the peat culture was examined. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Peat produced in Pyongtak was highly acidic, pH 3.8, and addition of calcium carbonate by 14% was required for pH adjustment to 6.4. However the amount of calcium carbonate could be reduced by 4 to 8% when carbon or charcoal was mixed with the peat. 2. Viable number of the strain reached to $7-9{\times}10^9cells/g$ after 3 days, when inoculated with the culture broth of early stationary growth phase and matured in unsteriled peat of open trays; and the number in steriled peat was $1.1-6.2{\times}10^{10}cells/g$ after 5 days, when matured in closed bottles. 3. Survival of the strain was affected markedly by storage temperature, and positive effect of D-sorbitol on the viability was recognized at elevated temperatures, when added as an additional carbon source and moistening agent. Glycerol, sorbitol, or sodium lactate was utilized by the strain as a sole source of carbon, and the decimal reduction time of viable number in the peat culture was was found to be 8 to 9 weeks at $25^{\circ}C$ when these agents were added by 0.5%.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.162-167
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• 2004

In this study, untreated (UT), water soaking (WT), and sanitizing solutions [chlorine at 100 ppm (CL): ethanol at 10% (ET); hydrogen peroxide at 1% (HP); chlorine at 100 ppm + ethanol at 10%(CE); chlorine at 100 ppm + hydrogen peroxide at 1% (CH); ethanol at 10% + hydrogen peroxide at 1% (EH); chlorine at 100 ppm + ethanol at 10% + hydrogen peroxide at 1% (CEH)] were compared in terms of their antimicrobial effectiveness against natural microflora of wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). All samples were kept in sanitizing solutions for 2 min, and effectiveness of sanitizing agents was evaluated based on number of decimal reduction of total aerobic mesophilic, total coliforms, E. coli, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast and mold counts. Average initial levels of these organisms in samples were $9.21{\pm}0.15,\;6.60{\pm}0.06,\;6.08{\pm}0.03,\;and\;3.66{\pm}0.08\;log_{10}\;CFU/g$ for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds, respectively, Escherichia coli was not detected in any tested samples. Decimal reduction of populations of total aerobic mesophilic, total coliforms, E. coli, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds were: in $WT\;8.09,\;5.36,\;5.82,\;and\;3.57 log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;in \;CL\;7.39,\;4.10\;5.24,\;2.45\;log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;in\;ET\;6.78,\;4.23,\;5.20,\;2.50\;log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;in\;HP\;6.11,\;4.27,\;5.28,\;2.46\;log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;in\;CE\;6.18,\;4.26,\;5.31,\;2.49\;log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;in\;CH\;6.10,\;3.77,\;5.33,\;2.46\;log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;in\;EH\;6.07\;3.82,\;4.76,\;2.41\;log_{10}\;CFU/g;\;and\;in\;CEH\;5.27,\;3.45,\;4.45,\;2.15\;log_{10}\;CFU/g,$ respectively. Statistical analysis of the results showed effectiveness of CEH sanitizing solution for elimination of microbial contamination was the highest among all sanitizer treatments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.586-592
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• 2015

This study was performed to determine optimum approaches for control of microorganisms in school refectories and kitchens. A reduction of more than 5.0 log CFU/mL was noted for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans after treatment with 5 ppm ozone water for 60 s. Treatment of different vegetables with ozone water for 5 min showed bactericidal effects with 2-4 log reduction of viable cell number; the bactericidal effects differed according to the kinds of vegetables. The viable cell number on kitchen apparatus and tableware was not detected by ozone water treatment for 60 s. In addition, the count of the bacteria floating in the air in refectories and kitchens decreased 2.0 log CFU/1,000 L air to 0-1 CFU/1,000 L air on treatment with 45 ppm ozone gas for 12 hr. Therefore, ozone water and ozone gas may be good candidates as antimicrobial agents that can be used to improve sanitary conditions in school refectories and kitchens.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Fifty-four dogs with otitis externa were enrolled in the study for the Evaluation of efficacy of a Hydrocortisone aceponate - Gentamicin - Miconazole otic combination ($Easotic^{(R)}$, Virbac, Carros, France). Otitis externa patients were treated by $Easotic^{(R)}$ once daily for 5 days and 2 days off treatment and evaluated on $7^{th}$ day. If otitis externa persisted, additional $Easotic^{(R)}$ treatment was administered once daily for 5 days and rested 2 days and reevaluated on $14^{th}$ day. For the evaluation of efficacy of $Easotic^{(R)}$, eight clinical signs were scored on a severity scale and infectious agents from ear sample were also graded using semi-quantitative scale at each visit. Sum of clinical scores and cytological scores was defined as Global Clinical Score. When $Easotic^{(R)}$ was applied once daily for 5 days, global clinical score was reduced 76.0%. When $Easotic^{(R)}$ was administered for 10 days, during first 5 days administration, 46.6% reduction of global clinical score was detected. During additional 5 days administration, 82.2% reduction of global clinical score was observed compared with Day 0. Any relevant adverse effect was not reported during the study in all cases. Thus, $Easotic^{(R)}$ treatment once daily for 5 days and 10 days appears to be effective and safe treatment for canine otitis externa.