• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2004

We investigated the optimal culture conditions for Cryptosporidium muris in a human stomach adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line by determining the effects of medium pH and of selected supplements on the development of C. muris. The optimum pH of the culture medium required for the development of C. muris was determined to be 6.6. The number of parasites significantly increased during cultivation for 72 hr (p < 0.05) at this level. On the other hand, numbers decreased linearly after 24 hr of incubation at pH 7.5. When cultured in different concentrations of serum, C. muris in media containing 5% FBS induced 4-7 times more parasites than in 1% or 10% serum. Of the six medium supplements examined, only 1 mM pyruvate enhanced the number of C. muris in vitro. Transmission electron microscopic observation showed the developmental stages of C. muris in the cytoplasm of the cells, not in an extracytoplasmic location. The growth of C. muris in AGS cells provides a means of investigating its biological characteristics and of testing its response to therapeutic agents. However, a more optimized culture system is needed for the recovery of oocysts on a large scale in vitro.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 1989

Clinical estimation of bladder and rectal doses from high dose rate intracavitary irradiation in carcinoma of the cervix uteri has been initiated on a routine basis in an effort to obtain the optimum radiotherapeutic dose. Simulation films with contrast media are used to image the bladder and rectum, and dose rates are estimated at various interesting points with the aid of treatment planning computer, NEC Therac-2300. Fifty-three patients have been reviewed in order to ascertain the correlation between radiation dose at interesting points in the bladder and rectum and the dose at Point A and B. The dose ratio between doses at Point A 'and interesting points is an important clinical factor in evaluating the treatment planning. This also serves as documentation of the dose to normal structures within the treatment volume. Authors conclude that obtained data are within acceptable ranges and routine simulation films of the bladder and rectum after administration of contrast media with dose calculations at interesting points provide important information for optimizing radiotherapy planning in the treatment of cervical carcinoma without increased time and effort or patient's discomfort.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1994

A new local drug delivery device to treat otitis media (OM) has been developed. This device consists of a biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) film containing antibiotic (ampicillin, AMP), which can be placed into the middle ear cavity and release the therapeutic concentration of AMP for prolonged period. Biodegradable films containing AMP (10 w/w%) were prepared by solution casting method using a suspension of the drug in a $PLLA/CH_{2}Cl_{2}$ solution (molecular weight of PLLA, 100,000 (100 K) and 300,000 (300 K), respectively). PLLA-AMP films were characterized by FTIR, DSC, and SEM. In vitro release of AMP from AMP-PLLA films were examined. The release pattern of AMP from AMP-PLLA films remained consistent from 1 day to 14 days, and the release rates of AMP from AMP-100K-PLLA film and AMP-300K-PLLA film were $0.7384\;{\mu}g/ml/day$, $0.4107\;{\mu}g/ml/day$, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.449-456
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• 2024

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under biophysical stress play an active role in the progression of vascular inflammation, but the precise mechanisms are unclear. This study examined the cellular expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and its related mechanisms using cultured rat aortic VSMCs stimulated with mechanical stretch (MS, equibiaxial cyclic stretch, 60 cycles/min). When the cells were stimulated with 10% MS, MCP-1 expression was markedly increased compared to those in the cells stimulated with low MS intensity (3% or 5%). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed an increase in HMGB1 released into culture media from the cells stimulated with 10% MS compared to those stimulated with 3% MS. A pretreatment with glycyrrhizin, a HMGB1 inhibitor, resulted in the marked attenuation of MCP-1 expression in the cells stimulated with 10% MS, suggesting a key role of HMGB1 on MCP-1 expression. Western blot analysis revealed higher PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β expression in the cells stimulated with 10% MS than 3% MS-stimulated cells. In the cells deficient of PDGFR-β using siRNA, but not PDGFR-α, HMGB1 released into culture media was significantly attenuated in the 10% MS-stimulated cells. Similarly, MCP-1 expression induced in 10% MS-stimulated cells was also attenuated in cells deficient of PDGFR-β. Overall, the PDGFR-β signaling plays a pivotal role in the increased expression of MCP-1 in VSMCs stressed with 10% MS. Therefore, targeting PDGFR-β signaling in VSMCs might be a promising therapeutic strategy for vascular complications in the vasculatures under excessive biophysical stress.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2008

Purpose : Better understanding of the epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae affects preventive and therapeutic strategies for children with otitis media. This study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of pneumococcal serotypes causing otitis media in children. Methods : Pneumococcal isolates obtained from the ear discharge of children with otitis media between January 2001 and December 2006 were characterized by serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Results : There were 54 pneumococcal isolates from 54 children with otitis media. The median age of patients was 13 months, and the proportion of children <5 years old was 81%. The predominant serotypes, in order of decreasing frequency, were 19A (44%), 19F(28%), 6B (7%), 6A (4%), 9V (4%), and 1 (4%); 23 isolates (43%) belonged to types included in the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). The proportion of serotype 19A and 19F accounted for 72% of overall pneumococcal isolates, which accounted for 84% of pneumococcal isolates from otorrhea of children <5 years old (vs 20% in children ${\geq}5$ years old, P<0.001). All serotypes isolated from 3 vaccinees of PCV7 were 19A. There was no significant diminution in otitis media caused by pneumococcal vaccine serotypes after the introduction of PCV7. The frequency of nonsusceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was higher in serotype 19A than in other non-vaccine serotypes, respectively. The frequency of multiple drug resistance was 96% in serotype 19A, compared with 29% in other non-vaccine serotypes (P=0.001). Conclusion : 19A was the most common pneumococcal serotype causing otitis media and represented a large proportion of strains with multiple drug resistance in children younger than 5 years of age.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.79-94
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• 2008

Although inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in host defense mechanism, these overproduction contributes to the pathogenesis of several diseases such as otitis media, hearing loss, periodontitis, bacterial sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extract from Ji-Pae-San(JPSWE) fomulated with Angelica dahurica plus Fritillaria Verticillata, Angelica dahurica(ADWE), and Fritillaria Verticillata(FUVE) in vitro and in vivo. Each extract inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects were synergistically increased by their combination. JPSWE also inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6. and $PGE_2$ production as well as COX activity in LPS-stimulated mice. Moreover, JPSWE significantly suppressed death by LPS-septic shock in mice(survival rate: 100%). These results suggest that Ji-Pae-San may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2006

Objectives: Bio-equivalence(BE) test is important not only to ensure the quality of generic drugs, but also to promote drug substitution under the separation of prescribing and dispensing practice(SPD). This study was intended to investigate the perception of consumers, doctors, and pharmacists on the confidence of bio-equivalence(BE) assured drugs. Methods: Nation-wide telephone interview survey was conducted for 1,018 consumers, 800 doctors, and 806 pharmacists from September to October in 2003. Descriptive analysis and ${\chi}^2$ analysis were conducted. Results: Even though people showed higher confidence level for the Bioequivalent drugs compared with Bio-inequivalent drugs, the confidence was generally low. Among those asked about the therapeutic substitutability of original drugs by BE versions, 95.78% of pharmacists responded "positive", while only 39.33% of consumers and 31.13% of doctors said so. The elderly, the less educated, who takes chronic disease medicine, pays high cost of prescription drugs, and are in the low income responded less aware of that. Also most consumers got information such as effect of drugs from either media or doctors. Conclusions: In order for people to believe that BE drugs and original drugs are equivalent, we need to strengthen health education, and to clarify any misunderstanding. It is also necessary for the national policy to provide accurate information about drugs to the public.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.102-108
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• 2011

The study of wave propagation and scattering in biological media has become increasingly important in recent years. The propagation of light within tissues is an important problem that confronts the dosimetry of therapeutic laser delivery and the development of diagnostic spectroscopy. In the clinical application of photodynamic therapy(PDT) and in photobiology, the photon deposition within a tissue determines the spatial distribution of photochemical reactions. Scattered light is measured as a function of the distance (r) between the axis of the incident beam and the detection spot. Consequently, knowledge of the photosensitizer(Chlorophyll-a) function that characterizes a phantom is measured. To obtain the results of scattering coefficients(${\mu}s$) of a turbid material from diffusion described by experimental approach. It was measured the energy fluency of photon radiation at the position of penetration depth. From fluorescence experimental method obtained the analytical expression for the scattered light as the values of $(I/I_o)_{wavelength}$ vs the distance between the center of the incident beam and optical fiber in terms of the condition of "in situ spectroscopy(optically thick)" and real time by fluorometric measurements. The result was compromised with transport of intensities though a random distribution of scatters.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.27-35
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• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of Mugi-hwan (MGH) Water Extract. Methods Cells were treated with 2 ug/ml of LPS 1 hour prior to the addition of MGH. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The production of NO was determined by reacting cultured medium with Griess reagent. The expression of COX-2, iNOS and MAPKs was investigated by Western blot, RT-PCR. The content of level of cytokines ($PGE_2$, IL-6, in media from LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells was analyed by ELISA kit. Results MGH inhibited the production of NO, $PGE_2$, IL-6 as well as the expressions of iNOS, COX-2 in the murine macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells. MGH also had suppression effects of LPS induced MAPKs activation. Conclusions These results suggest that MGH has an anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential, which may result from inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation, thereby decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.529-534
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• 2017

Probiotics have been known to reduce high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. We recently observed that Lactobacillus acidophilus NS1 (LNS1), distinctly suppresses increase of blood glucose levels and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. In the present study, we demonstrated that oral administration of LNS1 with HFD feeding to mice significantly reduces hepatic expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a key enzyme in gluconeogenesis which is highly increased by HFD feeding. This suppressive effect of LNS1 on hepatic expression of PEPCK was further confirmed in HepG2 cells by treatment of LNS1 conditioned media (LNS1-CM). LNS1-CM strongly and specifically inhibited $HNF4{\alpha}-induced$ PEPCK promoter activity in HepG2 cells without change of $HNF4{\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Together, these data demonstrate that LNS1 suppresses PEPCK expression in the liver by regulating $HNF4{\alpha}$ transcriptional activity, implicating its role as a preventive or therapeutic approach for metabolic diseases.