• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.678-683
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin inflammation effects of three herb mixture extracts, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which are from Ullung island in Korea. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of Raw 264.7 cells. Tested cells were pretreated with 70% acetone extracts of Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus (LSA-A) and further cultured for an appropriated time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of LSA-A had no cytotoxicity. In these concentrations, LSA-A inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necorsis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). LSA-A showed a 60% $PGE_2$ inhibition rate at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. iNOS and COX-2 inhibition activities were 54%, and 65% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, LSA-A extract reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6. These results suggest that LSA-A may have significant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2013

Objectives : We carry out the simultaneous quantification for quality control of four components in Bangpungtongseong-san (BPTSS) sample. In addition, we assessed the antioxidant effects of BPTSS sample. Methods : The used column for separation and analysis of four compounds was Luna C18 column and column oven temperature was maintained at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase for simultaneous determination consisted of two solvent systems, 1.0% acetic acid in water and 1.0% acetic acid in acetonitrile. High performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) method for analysis was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with PDA detection at 254 and 280 nm. The injection volume was 10 ${\mu}L$. The antioxidant activities of BPTSS were evaluated by measuring free radical scavenging activities on 2,2'-Azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The inhibitory effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were evaluated by the formation of thiobarbituric acid relative substances (TBARS) and relative electrophoretic mobility (REM). Results : Calibration curves were acquired with $r^2{\geq}0.9999$. The values of limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.06-0.29 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 0.20-0.98 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The amounts of geniposide, liquiritin, baicalin, and glycyrrhizin in BPTSS were 5.06, 7.33, 27.56, and 7.81 mg/g, respectively. The BPTSS showed the radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration required for 50% reduction (RC50) against ABTS and DPPH radicals were 72.51 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 128.49 ${\mu}g/mL$. Furthermore, GMGHT reduced the oxidation properties of LDL induced by CuSO4. Conclusions : The established HPLC-PDA method will be helpful to improve quality control of BPTSS. In addition, BPTSS has potentials as therapeutic agent on anti-atherosclerosis.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.838-848
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of bed baths with 2% chlorhexidine on the incidence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and blood stream infection (BSI) and to suggest guidelines on the therapeutic bed baths using skin cleaner. This study was designed to compare the incidence of MRSA and BSI of the experimental group(n=188) who received the bed baths with 2% chlorhexidine with the incidence of MRSA and BSI of the control group(n=199) who received the existing bed baths with soap and skin cleaner. A research design used in the study was a randomized control group posttest-only design. The experimental group had 6.7% decrease in MRSA acquisition than the control group (7.4% vs 14.1%, p=.036). The experimental group was decreased in the incidence density of MRSA than the control group (9.32 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk of experimental group vs 15.44 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk of control group; p=.099). The experimental group had 4.5% decrease in the rate of BSI than the control group (0.5% vs 5.0%, p=.011). The experimental group was decreased in the incidence density of BSI than the control group (0.67 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk of experimental group vs 5.52 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk of control group; p=.052). These finding indicated that bed baths with 2% chlorhexidine is an effective nursing intervention to decrease the incidence of MRSA and BSI.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 1995

Lithium Fluoride (LiF; TLD-100) crystal chips are normally used as thermolu minescence dosimeters (abbreviated as NC-100) for estimating the absorbed dose to the skin of a patient or in a solid water phantom undergoing radiotherapy with megavoltage photon (6 and 15MV) beams. In general, investigation has revealed a reduction in the sensitivity of NC-100 chips after many runs through heating cycles. A TLD-100 chip laminated with gold plate (140${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) on the upper surface layer of its face toward the photon beam (abbreviated as GC-100) has properties different from that of a NC-100 chip activated by incident photons and contaminant electrons with various lower energies coming from the gantry head and air. Activation of the valence band electrons of GC-100 chips by incident photons, positrons and electrons-which come from the gold plate by mainly pair production process and partly from Compton scattering-results in more enhanced signal intensity, higher response per monitor unit, as well as a good linearity with monitor units and independence of dose rate. Since the electron beams (6 and 15 MeV) do not have the probability of pair production process with gold plate, there is only a small difference (about a 3.3％ increase for 15 MeV) in the signal gaps in the TL readout for electron beams between GC- and NC-100 chips. The 3.3％ increase is entirely due to the buildup caused by the 140 m gold plate. The sensitivity of GC-100 chips is much more susceptible to high energy photon beams than electron one because of pair production. The interaction of high energy photon with a material of high atomic number, such as the good plate in this case, results in a considerably significant probability of pair production. The gold plate on the NC-100 chips acts as not only an intensifier of their signals but also acts as a filter of contaminant electrons in therapeutic high energy X-ray beams.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1985

The therapeutic effects of praziquantel on Fibricola seoulensis infection were studied by experimental infection of albino rats with the metacercariae obtained from the snakes. Total 51 albino rats were infected each with 500 or 1, 000 meta cercariae in number through intragastric tubes. One or four weeks la er the rats were treated with 1, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg single dose of prazipuantel and sacrificed after 3 days or 10-120 minutes to search for the worms in their small intestine. The worm recovery rate at 3 days after the treatment was 10.7 % in 1 mg/kg dose group and o. 03~0.2% in 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg groups, while that of untreated control was 51. 3%. The minimum effective dose to treat F. seoulensis infection in the rats is considered to be 5 mg/kg in single dose. By observing the distribution pattern of worms in the small intestine after the treatment, dislodgement of the worms from the duodenum, their normal habitat, to the lower portions was recognizable within as early as 10 minutes. The majority of worms was found to have descended to the ileo-caecal portion after 60-120 minutes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.364-373
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• 2011

Human embryonic stem cells have been highlighted as a valuable cellular source in the regenerative medicine field, due to their pluripotency. However, there is the challenge of the establishment of specific functional cell type forms of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESC). To establish and purify functional cell types from hESCs, we differentiated undifferentiated hESCs into vascular lineage cells and sorted the specific cell population from the whole cell population, depending on their cell volume, and compared them with the non-sorted cell population. We observed that about 10% of the PECAM positive population existed in the VEGF induced differentiating human embryoid body (hEB), and differentiated hEBs were made into single cells for cell transplantation. After making single cells, we performed cell sorting using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACs), according to their cell volume on the basis of FSC region gating, and compared their therapeutic capacity with the non-sorted cell population through cell transplantation into hindlimb ischemic disease model mice. 4 Weeks after cell transplantation, the recovery rate of blood perfusion reached 54% and 17% in the FSC regions of sorted cells- and non-sorted cells, respectively. This result suggests that derivation of a functional cell population from hESCs can be performed through cell sorting on the basis of cell volume after preliminary differentiation induction. This approach may then greatly contribute to overcoming the limitations of marker sorting.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro culture system for ovarian preantral follicles of B6D2F1. First, we optimized the in vitro preantral-follicle culture by culture duration, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) type, and activin A concentration. Duration of in vitro culture for 9, 11, and 13 days was sufficient for the normal development of preantral follicles to antral follicles. Formation of cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC) was induced by treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 2.5 IU/mL) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5 ng/mL). In addition, metaphase II (MII) oocytes formed during this in vitro culture of preantral follicles. In vitro preantralfollicle culture for 9 days showed higher rates of growth and maturation, thus yielding a greater number of antral follicles, and there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the number of MII oocytes (that formed from these preantral follicles via differentiation) between the 9-day culture and 11-day or 13-day culture. The follicles cultured for 9 days contained a tightly packed well-defined COC, whereas in follicles cultured for 11 days, the COC was not well defined (spreading was observed in the culture dish); the follicles cultured for 13 days disintegrated and released the oocyte. Second, we compared the growth of the preantral follicles in vitro in the presence of various FSH types. There were no significant differences in the growth and maturation rates and in differentiation into MII oocytes during in vitro culture between preantral follicles supplemented with FSH from Merck and those supplemented with FSH from Sigma. To increase the efficiency of MII oocyte formation, the preantral follicles were cultured at different activin A concentrations (0 to 200 ng/mL). The control follicles, which were not treated with activin A, showed the highest rate of differentiation into antral follicles and into MII oocytes among all the groups (0 to 200 ng/mL). Therefore, activin A (50 to 200 ng/mL) had a negative effect on oocyte maturation. Thus, in this study, we propose an in vitro system of preantral-follicle culture that can serve as a therapeutic strategy for fertility preservation of human oocytes for assisted reproductive medicine, for conservation of endangered species, and for creation of superior breeds.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.265-269
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• 2008

Objective : Outcome of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in the consecutive 100 cases with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) was analyzed. Methods : Data from initial 100 patients treated with GKS in the authors' institute were reviewed retrospectively. Spetzler-Martin grade at diagnosis were I in 18 patients, II in 27, III in 36, IV in 11, and V in 8. Thirty-five patients had experienced previous bleeding, 27 patients presented with seizure, and 31 patients presented with headache. The mean volume of the lesion was $4.3\;cm^3\;(0.1-29.3\;cm^3)$. The median radiation dose delivered to the margin was 20.0Gy (13-32Gy). Mean follow-up period was 37.5 months (5-63 months). Results : Angiographic follow-up was performed in 48 patients at least 2 years after GKS. Sixteen patients were lost in follow up following 2 years from GKS. Twenty-eight of 48 patients (58%) showed complete obliteration and 20 patients (42%) showed partial obliteration. Seven patients presented with post-GKS hemorrhage. Adverse radiation effect (ARE) was observed at follow-up MRI in 25 of 76 patients, and it was symptomatic in 5 patients. Complete obliteration was confirmed in 24 of 31 (77%) patients with volume less than $4\;cm^3$, meanwhile only 4 of 17 (24%) patients with volume of $4\;cm^3$ or more showed complete obliteration. Complete obliteration rate was 67% with 20Gy or higher marginal dose, 63% with 15-20 Gy, and 17% with less than 15Gy. Conclusion : GKS can provide high rates of obliteration with acceptable risk of morbidity in a subgroup of small AVMs. However, overall outcome in whole spectrum of AVMs, in which large proportion of cases have unfavorable characteristics for radiosurgery, is much worse. More effective therapeutic strategy needs to be developed for large AVMs that are difficult to be managed with current available treatment modalities.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2011

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), or epigallocatechin 3-gallate, is the ester of epigallocatechin and gallic acid, and is a type of catechin. EGCG may be therapeutic for many disorders including diabetics and some types of cancer. However it is unknown whether EGCG can induce transdifferentiation of pancreatic cells in pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG on the expression of pancreatic regenerating related markers in pancreatic AR42J cells, a model of pancreatic progenitor cells. AR42J cells, differentiated with betacellulin and activin A, were cultured with/without EGCG in a time-dependent manner. Cell growth rate, levels of mRNA, and protein expression were examined with the MTT assay, quantitative PCR, and Western blots, respectively. The results showed that AR42J cell growth rates were inhibited by EGCG in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA and protein expression of amylase, insulin and neurogenin 3 (ngn 3) increased in AR42J cells treated with EGCG. Additionally, we demonstrated that the signal transduction pathway of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is active in EGCG-treated AR42J cells. ERK and JNK phosphorylation decreased in cells treated with EGCG but not p38 phosphorylation. Activation of the p38 MAP kinase pathway was confirmed by specific MAP kinase pathways inhibitors: U0126 for ERK, SP600126 for JNK, and SB203580 for p38. Activated p38 phosphorylation was inhibited by the specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 but p38 phosphorylation was inhibited with increased EGCG treatment. The ERK and JNK MAP kinase pathways were not affected by EGCG treatment. Although further studies are needed, these results suggest that EGCG affects the induction of pancreatic cell regeneration by increasing the ngn 3 protein and mRNA expression and activating the p38 MAP kinase pathway.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.229-235
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• 1986

Lithium salts are being used increasingly to treat patient with affective disorders, especially acute mania, or bipolar manic-depressive illness. For therapeutic effect the lithium content must be maintained at or above a particular level. Lithium poisoning due to overdosage may be seen occasionally, and its course is determined primarily by the rate of renal lithium elimination. A search is therefore indicated for procedures that could raise the lithium clearance. In a number of reports renal lithium excretion has been studied in relation to the excretion of water, sodium, potassium and hydrogen, but effects of sodium or water on the lithium excretion has not yet been clarified. Hence the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of corticosteroid on the excretion of lithium ion. The female rat(Sprague-Dowley), weighing from 200 to 300g, was injected with 50mg/kg of lithium chloride intraperitoneally, and then injected with graded dosage of fludrocortisone and dexamethasone in each group. During the injected rats were incubated in metabolic cage, 24 hour urine of rats were collected. At 24 hours after injection, the rats were sacrificed with guillotin, the blood were collected. And then the concentratios of $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Li^+$ of collected urine and serum were checked by Flame photometer. The results are summarized as follows; 1. Fludrocortisone decreased the serum concentration of lithium and increased the urinary excretion of lithium. 2. In the group treated with low dose of dexamethasone(0.1mg/kg), the serum concentration of lithium was decreased and high dose of dexamethasone (1mg/kg) increased the urinary excretion of lithium. 3. Fludrocortisone increased the urinary $[Na^+]/[K^+]$ in serum and decreased $[Na^+]/[K^+]$ in urine, but opposite effects were occurred in dexamethasone. By above results, it may be concluded that corticosteroid increased the urinary excretion of lithium and decreased the serum concentration of lithium, but it seems to be there is no relationship between these effects of corticosteroid and of the renal $Na^+$ or $K^+$ transport.