• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.1392-1398
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Sophora Japonica (SJ) on the RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SJ, we examined the cytokine productions including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and also inhibitory mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa b (NF-kB) using Western blot. SJ inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, TNF-a but not of IL-1b and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. SJ inhibited the activation of MAPKs such as extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 but not of NF-kB in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, SJ down-regulated LPS-induced NO and TNF-a productions via MAPKs, which could be a clinical basis for inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.346-354
• /
• 2017

Long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) is a retrotransposon that contains a CpG island in its 5'-untranslated region. The CpG island of LINE-1 is often heavily methylated in normal somatic cells, which is associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. DNA methylation can differ between formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and frozen tissues. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the LINE-1 methylation status between the two tissue-storage conditions in gastric cancer (GC) clinical samples and to evaluate whether LINE-1 can be used as an independent prognostic marker for each tissue-storage type. We analyzed four CpG sites of LINE-1 and examined the methylation levels at these sites in 25 FFPE and 41 frozen GC tissues by quantitative bisulfite pyrosequencing. The LINE-1 methylation status was significantly different between the FFPE and frozen GC tissues (p < 0.001). We further analyzed the clinicopathological features in the two groups separately. In the frozen GC tissues, LINE-1 was significantly hypomethylated in GC tissues compared to their corresponding normal gastric mucosa tissues (p < 0.001), and its methylation status was associated with gender, differentiation state, and lymphatic and venous invasion of GC. In the FFPE GC tissues, the methylation levels of LINE-1 differed according to tumor location and venous invasion of GC. In conclusion, LINE-1 can be used as a useful methylation marker for venous invasion in both FFPE and frozen tumor tissues of GC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.9
• /
• pp.1198-1204
• /
• 2007

This study was carried out to find the optimal conditions for the extraction of the effective ingredients based on central composite by monitoring the extraction characteristics of each ingredient with a response surface methodology. The optimal condition for the effective component alliin was extract temperature of $60.86^{\circ}C$, extract time of 3.77 hr, and ethanol concentration of 50.68%, and that for allicin was $65.11^{\circ}C$, 2.79 hr, and 13.62%, respectively, with the maximum extraction of 16.72 mg%. The maximum value of extracted total phenolics was 16.72 mg%, the optimal condition for electron donating ability was $93.35^{\circ}C$, 3.22 hr and 10.38%. The optimal conditions for pH 1.2 and 3.0 nitrite-scavenging ability was extract temperature of $79.77^{\circ}C$ and $76.46^{\circ}C$, extract time of 3.22 hr and 3.31 hr, and the ethanol concentration of 10.38% and 1.12%, respectively. With this optimal condition, the obtained maximum values for nitrite-scavenging activities at pH 1.2 and 3.0 were 94.85% and 63.22%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.322-332
• /
• 2022

Objective: CT plays a central role in determining the resectability of pancreatic cancer, which directs the use of neoadjuvant therapy. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CT in predicting circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer. Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven patients who were scheduled for upfront surgery for resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer were prospectively enrolled, and 75 patients (38 male and 37 female; mean age ± standard deviation, 68 ± 11 years) were finally analyzed. The CRM status was evaluated separately for the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and posterior and superior mesenteric vein/portal vein (SMV/PV) margins. Three independent radiologists reviewed the preoperative CT images and evaluated the resection margin status. The reference standard for CRM status was pathologic examination of pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens in an axial plane perpendicular to the axis of the second portion of the duodenum. The diagnostic accuracy of CT was assessed for overall CRM involvement, defined as involvement of the SMA or posterior margins (per-patient analysis), and involvement of each of the three resection margins (per-margin analysis). The data were pooled using a crossed random effects model. Results: Forty patients had pathologically confirmed overall CRM involvement in pancreatic cancer, while CRM involvement was not seen in 35 patients. For overall CRM involvement, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 15% (95% confidence interval: 7%-49%) and 99% (96%-100%), respectively. For each of the resection margins, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 14% (9%-54%) and 99% (38%-100%) for the SMA margin, 12% (8%-46%) and 99% (97%-100%) for the posterior margin; and 37% (29%-53%) and 96% (31%-100%) for the SMV/PV margin, respectively. Conclusion: CT showed very high specificity but low sensitivity in predicting pathological CRM involvement in pancreatic cancer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.7
• /
• pp.812-828
• /
• 2020

Objective: To provide an evidence-based guide for the MRI interpretation of complete tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for rectal cancer using visual assessment on T2-weighted imaging (T2) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods: PubMed MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched on November 28, 2019 to identify articles on the following issues: 1) sensitivity and specificity of T2 or DWI for diagnosing pathologic complete response (pCR) and the criteria for MRI diagnosis; 2) MRI alone vs. MRI combined with other test(s) in sensitivity and specificity for pCR; and 3) tests to select patients for the watch-and-wait management. Eligible articles were selected according to meticulous criteria and were synthesized. Results: Of 1615 article candidates, 55 eligible articles (for all three issues combined) were identified. Combined T2 and DWI performed better than T2 alone, with a meta-analytic summary sensitivity of 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.77; I² = 80.60) and summary specificity of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80-0.94; I² = 92.61) for diagnosing pCR. The criteria for the complete response on T2 in most studies had the commonality of remarkable tumor decrease to the absence of mass-like or nodular intermediate signal, although somewhat varied, as follows: (near) normalization of the wall; regular, thin, hypointense scar in the luminal side with (near) normal-appearance or homogeneous intermediate signal in the underlying wall; and hypointense thickening of the wall. The criteria on DWI were the absence of a hyperintense signal at high b-value (≥ 800 sec/mm²) in most studies. The specific algorithm to combine T2 and DWI was obscure in half of the studies. MRI combined with endoscopy was the most utilized means to select patients for the watch-and-wait management despite a lack of strong evidence to guide and support a multi-test approach. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an evidence-based practical guide for MRI assessment of complete tumor response after CRT for rectal cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.113-121
• /
• 2007

The bacterial diversity inherent to the biofilm community structure of a modified rotating biological contactor wastewater treatment process, referred to as the Rotating Activated Bacillus Contactor (RABC) process, was characterized in this study, via both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. On the basis of culture-dependent methods, Bacillus sp. were found to exist in large numbers on the biofilm (6.5% of the heterotrophic bacteria) and the microbial composition of the biofilms was quite simple. Only three phyla were identified-namely, the Proteobacteria, the Actinobacteria (High G+C Gram-positive bacteria), and the Firmicutes (Low G+C Gram-positive bacteria). The culture-independent partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed a considerably more diverse microbial composition within the biofilms. A total of eight phyla were recovered in this case, three of which were major groups: the Firmicutes (43.9%), the Proteobacteria (28.6%), and the Bacteroidetes (17.6%). The remaining five phyla were minor groups: the Planctomycetes (4.4%), the Chlorobi (2.2%), the Actinobacteria (1.1%), the Nitrospirae (1.1%), and the Verrucomicrobia (1.1%). The two most abundant genera detected were the endospore-forming bacteria (31.8%), Clostridium and Bacillus, both of which are members of the Firmicutes phylum. This finding indicates that these endospore-forming bacteria successfully colonized and dominated the RABC process biofilms. Many of the colonies or clones recovered from the biofilms evidenced significantly high homology in the 16S rDNA sequences of bacteria stored in databases associated with advanced wastewater treatment capabilities, including nitrification and denitrification, phosphorus accumulation, the removal of volatile odors, and the removal of chlorohydrocarbons or heavy metals. The microbial community structures observed in the biofilms were found to correlate nicely with the enhanced performance of advanced wastewater treatment protocols.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2004

Background: A human orthologue of mouse S100A6-binding protein (CacyBP), Siah-1-interacting protein (SIP) had been shown to be a component of novel ubiquitinylation pathway regulating $\beta$-catenin degradation. The role of the protein seems to be important in cell proliferation and cancer evolution but the expression pattern of SIP in actively dividing cancer tissues has not been known. For the elucidation of the role of SIP protein in carcinogenesis, it is essential to produce monoclonal antibodies specific to the protein. Methods: cDNA sequence coding for ORF region of human SIP gene was amplified and cloned into an expression vector to produce His-tag fusion protein. Recombinant SIP protein and monoclonal antibody to the protein were produced. The N-terminal specificity of anti-SIP monoclonal antibody was conformed by immunoblot analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To study the relation between SIP and colon carcinogenesis, the presence of SIP protein in colon carcinoma tissues was visualized by immunostaining using the monoclonal antibody produced in this study. Results: His-tag-SIP (NSIP) recombinant protein was produced and purified. A monoclonal antibody (Korea patent pending; #2003-45296) to the protein was produced and employed to analyze the expression pattern of SIP in colon carcinoma tissues. Conclusion: The data suggested that anti-SIP monoclonal antibody produced here was valuable for the diagnosis of colon carcinoma and elucidation of the mechanism of colon carcinogenesis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.270-276
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to deal with fire fighting safety education primarily among the fields of child safety education. So, first of all, this study considered the theoretical background of fire fighting safety education. And this study analyzed the present state and cases of safety accidents in elementary schools. And by focusing on the fire fighting science class for elementary schools which Gyeonggi-do Goyang fire station is executing now, this study analyzed the educational outline, present state, educational goal, and content of fire fighting science class, and conducted the satisfaction survey through questionnaire over the elementary school students participating in fire fighting science class and the fire fighting officers in charge of fire fighting science class. On basis of this research, by developing the new field of fire fighting education and publicity into the program which can diffuse the fire fighting-related chemical experiment based on the science of chemistry and physics in the future and so provide the pleasure and surprise of experiencing directly not only natural fire fighting education and publicity but also learning and the common sense of fire fighting, this study tried to present the alternatives about the measures for activating the fire fighting safety education in elementary schools.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.375-383
• /
• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dental and skeletal effects of the modified C-palatal plate (MCPP) for total arch distalization in adult patients with Class II malocclusion and compare the findings with those of cervical pull headgear. Methods: The study sample consisted of the lateral cephalograms of 44 adult patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion, including 22 who received treatment with MCPP (age, $24.7{\pm}7.7years$) and 22 who received treatment with cervical pull headgear (age, $23.0{\pm}7.7years$). Pre- (T1) and post-treatment (T2) cephalograms were analyzed for 24 linear and angular measurements. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the changes after treatment in each group and differences in treatment effects between the two groups. Results: The mean amount of distalization at the crown and root levels of the maxillary first molar and the amount of distal tipping was 4.2 mm, 3.5 mm, and $3.9^{\circ}$ in the MCPP group, and 2.3 mm, 0.6 mm, and $8.6^{\circ}$ in the headgear group, respectively. In addition, intrusion by 2.5 mm was observed in the MCPP group. In both groups, the distal movement of the upper lip and the increase in the nasolabial angle were statistically significant (p < 0.001). However, none of the skeletal and soft tissue variables exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that MCPP is an effective treatment modality for total arch distalization in adults.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.785-808
• /
• 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the short-term weathering on the flame retardant performance of wood coated with Dancheong. Flame retardants were applied on the Dancheong coated Korean red pine. Flame retardants applied panels were layed at the two conditions of outdoor exposure and artificial aging to assess the reliability of artificial aging. Flame retardants used were commercial products developed for historical wooden buildings. Scanning electron micrographs revealed the forming of carbonized membrane by melting of flame retardant on wood surface. These carbonized membranes may help delay the further combustion of wood. Flame retardant performance was assessed by measuring heat release rate (HRR) and total heat release (THR) by cone calorimetry. There was no difference in flame retardant performance between before and after 6-month outdoor exposure tests. And also no difference in flame retardant performance between before and after 2-week artificial aging which corresponds to 6-month outdoor exposure. Both tests showed the similar results of combustion characteristics.