• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.89-100
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• 2002

The nonstructural glycoprotein NSP4, encoded by the 10th gene of rotavirus, has been known to play important roles in viral assembly and pathogenesis. The NSP4 genes of human rotavirus Korean isolates, designated as CBNU/HR-1, CBNU/HR-2, CBNU/HR-3, and CBNU/HR-4, were cloned, sequenced and characterized. Also, the NSP4 gene of the CBNU/HR-1 was expressed in a baculovirus-insect cell system. The sequence data indicated that the NSP4 genes of human rotavirus Korean isolates were 750 or 751 bases in length and encoded one open reading frame of 175 amino acids. Two glycosylation sites were recognized in the NSP4 gene of human rotavirus isolates tested. The NSP4 of CBNU/HR-1, CBNU/HR-3, and CBNU/HR-4 exhibited a high degree of amino acid sequence homology with that of NSP4 genotype B viruses, but a low degree of amino acid sequence homology with that of NSP4 genotype A viruses. However, the NSP4 of CBNU/HR-2 exhibited a high degree of amino acid sequence homology with that of NSP4 genotype A viruses, but a low degree of amino acid sequence homology with that of NSP4 genotype B viruses. The Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus, inserted with NSP4 gene of CBNU/HR-1, produced specific cytopathic effects and the expressed NSP4 was detected by immunofluorescence staining using NSP4-specific monoclonal antibody(MAb). The expressed NSP4 migrated at 16-26 kDa on SDS-PAGE and reacted with NSP4-specific MAb by Western blotting.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1636-1648
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• 2006

There are detailed descriptions of the clinical experiences and prescriptions of asthma in traditional Korean medicine. Zedoariae rhizoma is one of the Korean herbal medicines used to treat bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis for centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this medication are still far from clear, In this study, a house-dust-mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [Der p])-sensitized murine model of asthma was used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Zedoariae rhizoma on the allergen-induced airway inflammation in asthma. Three different protocols were designed to evaluate the treatment and/or long-term prophylacitic effect of Zedoariae rhizoma in Der p-sensitized mice. Cellular infiltration and T-cell subsets in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)of allergen-challenged mice were analyzed. Intrapulmonary lymphocytes were also isolated to evaluate their response to allergen stimulation. When Zedoariae rhizoma was administered to the sensitized mice before AC (groups A and C), it suppressed airway inflammation by decreasing the number of total cells and eosinophil infiltration in the BALF, and downregulated the allergen- or mitogen-induced intrapulmonary lymphocyte response of sensitized mice as compared to those of controls. This immunomodulatory effect of Zedoariae rhizoma may be exerted through the regulation of T-cell subsets by elevation or activation of the CD8+ and double-negative T-cell population in the lung. However, the administration of Zedoariae rhizoma to sensitized mice 24 h after AC (group B) did not have the same inhibitory effect on the airway inflammation as Zedoariae rhizoma given before AC. Thus, the administration of Zedoariae rhizoma before AC has the immunomodulatory effect of reducing bronchial inflammation in the allergen-sensitized mice. On the other hand, to determine the potentiality of prophylactic and/or therapeutic approaches using a traditional herbal medicine, Zedoariae rhizoma, for the control of allergic disease, we examined the effects of oral administration of Zedoariae rhizoma on a murine model of asthma allergic responses. When oral administration of Zedoariae rhizoma was begun at the induction phase immediately after OVA sensitization, eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production in the airway were reduced in OVA-sensitized mice following OVA inhalation. These results suggest that the oral administration of Zedoariae rhizoma dichotomously modulates allergic inflammation in murine model for asthma, thus offering a different approach for the treatment of allergic disorders.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2007

A 36-year-old pregnant woman was referred for amniocentesis at 19.5 weeks gestation because of advanced maternal age and evidence of increased risk for Edward syndrome in the maternal serum screening test. Cytogenetic analysis of the cultured amniotic fluid cells revealed mosaicism for ring chromosome 11: 46,XX,r(11)[65]/ 45,XX,-11[16]/ 46,XX [34]. Parental karyotypes were normal. A targeted ultrasound showed intrauterine grow th restriction (IUGR). Cordocentesis was performed to characterize the ring chromosome and to rule out tissue specific mosaicism. Karyotype was confirmed as 46,XX,r(11) (p15.5q24.2)[229]/45,XX,-11[15]. And a few new form of ring w ere detected in this culture. The deletion of subtelomeric regions in the ring chromosome were detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The pregnancy was terminated. The fetal autopsy showed a growth-retarded female fetus with rocker bottom feet. We report a case of prenatally detected a de novo ring chromosome 11.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

An eco-friendly energy conversion device without the emission of pollutants has gained much attention due to the rapid use of fossil fuels inducing carbon dioxide emissions ever since the first industrial revolution in the 18th century. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that can produce water during the reaction without the emission of carbon dioxide are promising devices for automotive and residential applications. As a key component of PEMFCs, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) need to have high proton conductivity and physicochemical stability during the operation. Currently, perfluorinated sulfonic acid-based PEMs (PFSA-PEMs) have been commercialized and utilized in PEMFC systems. Although the PFSA-PEMs are found to meet these criteria, there is an ongoing need to improve these further, to be useful in practical PEMFC operation. In addition, the well-known drawbacks of PFSA-PEMs including low glass transition temperature and high gas crossover need to be improved. Therefore, this review focused on recent trends in the development of high-performance PFSA-PEMs in three different ways. First, control of the side chain of PFSA copolymers can effectively improve the proton conductivity and thermal stability by increasing the ion exchange capacity and polymer crystallinity. Second, the development of composite-type PFSA-PEMs is an effective way to improve proton conductivity and physical stability by incorporating organic/inorganic additives. Finally, the incorporation of porous substrates is also a promising way to develop a thin pore-filling membrane showing low membrane resistance and outstanding durability.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Purpose: Oxidative stress was thought to play a critical role in neurodegenerative disease. Many in vivo and in vitro reports explained the possible pathway of human aging. But in therapeutic aspects, there was no clear answers to prevent aging associated with neural diseases. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the Insamyangyung-tang (IYT). Methods: To estimate the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and measurement of total polyphenolic content. To evaluate neuroprotective effect of IYT in vitro. We performed thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation in SH-SY5Y. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and TNF-${\alpha}$ assay in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results: The $IC_{50}$ values were $571.6{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $202.3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in DPPH and ABTS assay respectively. Total polyphenolic content was 1.05%. In SH-SY5Y culture, IYT significantly increased the decreased cell viability by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in pre-treatment group, $10-100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in post-treatment group, and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in co-treatment group. The production of ROS induced by 6-OHDA was significantly inhibited in IYT treated group. In mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture, the IYT group reduced the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity and the production of No and TNF-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of $0.2{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Conclusion: These results showed that IYT has antioxidant and neuroprotectctive effects in the dopaminergic cells through decreasing the production of ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ which can cause many neurodegenerative changes in brain cell.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2009

Purpose: The depression accompanied with menopuase shows the relation with the dopamine secretion. These studies were undertaken to evaluate the anti- oxidative and neuroprotective effects of Bunsimgieum(BSGE) on dopaminergic neurons. Methods: To estimate the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1.1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline -6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and measurement of total polyphenolic content. To evaluate neuroprotective effect of BSGE in vitro, We performed thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation in SH-SY5Y. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and TNF-${\alpha}$ assay in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results: The DPPH free radical and the ABTS radical cation inhibition activities were increased at a dose dependent manner. Total polyphenolic content was 0.83%. In SH-SY5Y culture, BSGE significantly increased the decreased cell viability by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of 10${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ in pre-treatment group, 0.1-200${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ in post-treatment group. The production of ROS induced by 6-OHDA was significantly inhibited in BSGE treated group. In mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture, the BSGE group reduced the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity and the production of No and TNF-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of 5${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$. Conclusion: These results shows that BSGE has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in the dopaminergic cells through decreasing the production of ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ which can cause many neurodegenerative changes in brain cell. We suggest that BSGE could be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal depression related with the decrease of dopamine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.688-698
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• 2001

Objectives : Parkinson's disease is a well-known neurodegenerative disease characterized by dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra. The reactive gliosis by activated astrocytes and microglias is no more regarded as a simple sequel of neuronal cell death. Microglial activation takes place in a stereotypic pattern with graded morphologic and functional(resting, activated and phagocytic) changes. In Parkinson's disease animal model, the degree of microglial activation along the nigro-striatal dopaminergic tract has not been studied intensively. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of microglial reaction and to grade its degree of activation at substantia nigra and corpus striatum using 6-hydroxydopamine induced rat model of Parkinson's disease. Methods : Using Sprague-Dawley rat, parkinsonian model was made by 6-hydroxydopamine(OHDA) induced destruction of medial and lateral substantia nigra(SN). The rat was sacrificed 3-, 5-, 7-, 14- and 21-day-after operation. For control group, we injected saline with same manner and sacrificed 3-day after operation. With immunohistochemistry, we examined dopaminergic neuronal cells and microglial expression using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and OX-42 antibodies, respectively. Also we performed in situ hybridization for osteopontin, a possible marker of subset in activated microglia. Results : 1) In lesioned side of substantia nigra and corpus striatum, the TH immunoreactivity was markedly decreased in whole experimental groups. 2) Using optical densitometry, microglia induced immunoreactivity of OX-42 was counted at SN and corpus striatum. At SN, it was increased significantly on the lesioned side in control and all time-dependent experimental groups. At striatum, it was increased significantly in post lesion 3-day group only(p <0.05). Compared to control group, immunoreactivity of OX-42 on lesioned side was increased in groups, except post lesion 21-day group, at SN. Only post lesion 3-day group showed significance at striatum(p <0.05). Compared to SN region, immunoreactivity of OX-42 was much weaker in striatum. 3) Microscopically, the microglias showed typically different activation pattern. At SN, numerous phagocytic microglias were found at pars compacta and reticularis of lesion side. At striatum, no phagocytic form was found and the intensity of staining was much weaker. 4) At SN, the immunoreactivity of osteopontin showed definite laterality and it was markedly increased at pars compacta of lesion side with relatively short duration time. At striatum, however, it was not detected by in situ hybridization technique. Conclusion : The nigral 6-OHDA induced rat model of Parkinson's disease revealed several characteristic patterns of microglial reaction. At SN, microglias was activated shortly after direct neuronal damage and maintained for about three weeks. In contrast, despite of sufficient dopaminergic insufficiency at striatum, activation of microglias was trivial, and distinguished 3 day later. Antegrade slow neuronal degeneration is major pathophysiology in striatal dopaminergic deficiency. So, the acuteness of neuronal damage and consequential degree of neuronal degeneration may be important factor for microglial activation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Additionally, osteopontin may be a possible marker for several subsets of activated microglia, possibly the phagocytic form.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 1995

These studies were carried out to develop a system for non -destructive and continuous measurement of fresh weight and to analyse the growth response of leaf lettuce under the different nutrient solution and light condition with this system. The developed measurement system was consisted of four load cells and a microcomputer. The output from the system was highly positive correlation with the plant fresh weight above the surface of the hydroponic solution. The top fresh weight of plant could be measured within the error $\pm$ 1.0g in the range of 0 - 2000g. The top fresh weight of leaf lettuce increased 44 times at 18th day after transferring to the nutrient solution, and the maximum growth rate was observed at 13th day after transferring. The growth rate was 10.7- 29.6% per day during 18 days. Optimum concentration of the nutrient solution for the growth of lettuce was 1.4 - 2.2 mS/cm of EC level. When the light condition was changed from dark to light, the fresh weight was temporarily decreased, but the fresh weight increased under the opposite condition. Top fresh weight of leaf lettuce in the darkness normally increased within 12 hours after darkness treatment, and then slowly increased until 78 hours under continuous dark condition. After that times, the fresh weight began to decrease.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 1998

To study the incidence and epidemiological factors of uterine cervical cancer in medical underserved area females, the questionnaire survey and Pap. smear for uterine cervical cancer was done on total 330 women who lived in Ullungdo from 5th to 12th August, 1998. The results were summarized as follows： The age distribution of subjects was 50s (24.5%), 60s (24.5%) and their educational level was “no schooling” (14.2%) and “elementary school” (42.7%). The first coital age of subjects was 19∼21yrs (30.0%), 16∼18yrs (13.9%) and the first pregnancy age was 22∼24yrs (36.7%) and 19∼21yrs (30.0%). The frequency of total pregnancy of subjects was over 5 times (52.1%). The frequency of total delivery was “3∼4 times” (35.5％) and “5∼6 times” (15.2％). 68.8% of subjects had experience of abortion and 80.0% of their husband were on the phimosis. 172 (52.1%) subjects had gynecological symptoms, their symptoms were leukorrhea (48.3%), pruritus (21.5%) and leukorrhea with pruritus (20.3%). 63.9% of total subjects have been received Pap. smear and the frequency of their Pap. smear was “only 1 time” (44.1 ％), “irregularly” (30.3%) and the reason of respondents who have not been received Pap. smea. was “no specific symptom” (51.3%). Among the 330 women screened there were negative (45.8%), inflammation (47.3%), trichomoniasis and candidiasis (1.8%), atypical cells (4.5%) and dysplasia (0.6%).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.555-562
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• 2020

This study analyzed the total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TF), and protein content, the Absorbance at 400 nm (A400), and the antioxidant and hemolytic activities of 150 Korean honey products, including 41 chestnut (CH), 42 acacia (AH), 62 multi-floral (MH), and five Styrax japonica (TH) varieties. Our results showed that the components and antioxidant activities of honey are dependent on botanical origin rather than farming area or farmer. CH showed the highest levels of TP (88.6±29.8 mg/100 g) and TF (1.20±0.82 mg/100 g), whereas TH had the highest protein (21.5±5.1 mg/100 g). A400 was the highest in CH (0.161±0.044). All of the honey products exhibited negligible hemolytic activity against human red blood cells up to 1 mg/ml. Potent radical scavenging activities for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonate) (ABTS), nitrite and reducing power were also observed in CH. Correlation coefficients (CCs) between analysis parameters were calculated and the highest was identified between TP and ABTS scavenging activity (0.726). The CCs between A400 and TP and A400 and ABTS scavenging activity were 0.644 and 0.661, respectively, suggesting that A400 could be used as a quality indicator for the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of particular honeys. Future research on polyphenol by flower origin and the identification of compounds for A400 is necessary.