• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.607-613
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• 2010

Osteoporosis is a disease involving a decrease in bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures. The MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cell line is a well-accepted model of osteogenesis in vitro. Pine needles have long been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. In this study, MTT assay, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and collagen synthesis of osteoblast cells were investigated to determine the effects of pine needle extracts on cell proliferation and differentiation. Pine needle extracts were prepared using hexane, ethanol and water. The effects of the pine needle extracts were examined by comparing the results with those of commercial agents, such as proanthocyanidin. The MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to proanthocyanidin showed increased proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The cells exposed to the hexane extract showed a similar increase in proliferation to that observed with proanthocyanidin. The hexane extract showed the highest ALP activity. Moreover, a supplement of pine needle extracts induced collagen synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. The pine needle extract produced the highest level of collagen synthesis at concentrations of $10{\sim}50\;{\mu}g/ml$. These results indicate that pine needle extracts have an anabolic effect on bone by promoting osteoblastic differentiation, and may be used in the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1156-1163
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• 2015

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of four different medicinal plants in a cyclophosphamide-treated Balb/c mouse model. One of the four plants, Ulmus macrocarpa, showed partial resistance against immune suppression induced by cyclophosphamide. The bark of U. macrocarpa, commonly known as the Chinese elm, has been used as a pharmaceutical material in Korean traditional medicine to treat bacterial inflammation and induce wound healing. In this study, water extract of U. macrocarpa, named DEU-7, was used for its immunomodulating functional activity. DEU-7 increased the weight of the spleen and the number of splenocytes but did not significantly affect the liver, kidney, and thymus in vivo. A splenocyte viability assay confirmed that DEU-7 influenced ex vivo splenocyte survival. DEU-7 also increased the levels of cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-4, and immunoglobulins, such as IgM, IgG, and IgA. These results indicated that DEU-7 is involved in the activation of T and B lymphocytes. In addition, DEU-7 was able to maintain the production of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ, in the condition of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression, suggesting that DEU-7 activated innate immune cells, even under immune suppression. We concluded that DEU-7 aids immunological homeostasis, thereby preventing immune suppression, and aids both innate and adaptive immune response by maintaining the levels of various cytokines and immunoglobulins. Consequently, it is worth investigating the potential of DEU-7 as a supplemental source for immune-enhancing agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of green tea polyphenol and vitamin C on type 2 diabetes mellitus by administering polyphenon 60 (P60) and sodium ascorbate (SA) to diabetic rats induced by high fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin. The experimental group was divided into five different groups: non-diabetic control group (NC), diabetes control group (DC), diabetes+P60 group (DM+P60), diabetes+SA group (DM+SA), and diabetes+P60+SA group (DM+P60+SA). P60 and SA were dissolved in 0.1% drinking water. After P60 and SA were administered for 16 weeks, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, serum triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels as well as kidney alkaline phosphatase (AP) and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activities were measured. Fasting blood glucose level increased 5-fold in the DC group compared to the NC group. In the DM+P60 group, fasting blood glucose level decreased by 14%. In the DM+P60+SA group, fasting blood glucose level decreased by 28% compared to the DC group, whereas the DM+SA group did not show any significant difference. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index increased in the DC group and decreased in the DM+P60+SA group compared to the DC group. Serum creatinine level increased in the DC group, but decreased by 17% in the DM+P60 group and by 43% in the DM+P60+SA group compared to the DC group. The serum BUN level increased in the DC group, but decreased by 41% in the DM+P60+SA group compared to the DC group. Kidney GGT and AP activities decreased in the DC group compared to the NC group; however, they were reversed by DM+P60+SA group. These results show that combined administration of both green tea polyphenol and vitamin C had better effects on improving blood glucose level, insulin resistance, serum triglyceride level, and protecting kidneys than administration of either green tea polyphenol or vitamin C alone in the context of type 2 diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.324-333
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• 2001

Purpose: $^{123}I$-labeled fatty acids have been used in the evaluation of regional myocardial energy metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of $^{123}I$-BMIPP as a liposarcoma-imaging agent. Materials and Methods: We compared in vitro uptakes between liposarcoma(SW872) and glioma(9L) cell lines, and examined biodistribution and in vivo images of $^{123}I$-BMIPP in liposarcoma-bearing nude mice. Cold-BMIPP was labeled with $^{123}I\;using\;Cu^{2+}$ as catalyst. After purification by Sep-pak, radiochemical purity was determined by TLC. We compared cellular uptake between glioma and liposarcoma after incubation of 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 mins with culture medium containing $^{123}I$-BMIPP. The difference in biodistribution was determined between non-feeding (water only) group for 18 hr and feeding group in normal mice (n=6/group) at 0.5, 2, and 24 hr. In liposarcoma-hearing nude mice model, liposarcoma, SW872, ceil lines were injected subcutaneously into the felt thigh of nude mice. The biodistribution of $^{123}I$-BMIPP was evaluated at 0.5, 2, and 24 hr (n:5 / group) and in vivo Image of $^{123}I$-BMIPP was obtained with gamma camera at 2 and 24 hr in liposarcoma-hearing nude mice. Results: Radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purity were 95% and above 99%, respectively. SW872 cell line showed more increased uptake than 9L with 1.5 times at 180 mins. The clearance of $^{123}I$-BMIPP in various tissues was more delayed in the non-feeding group than in the feeding group, especially at delayed time (24 hr) in normal mice, and the major excreting organ was the gastrointestinal tract. In liposarcoma-bearing nude mice, tumor/blood ratio of $^{123}I$-BMIPP was 0.94, 0.75, and 1.38 and tumor/muscle ratio was 0.66, 1.53, and 1.11 at 0.5, 2, and 24hr, respectively. $^{123}I$-BMIPP was selectively localized in liposarcoma at 24 hr image. Conclusions: These results suggest that $^{123}I$-BMIPP can be used as a liposarcoma-imaging agent.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2020

Currently, many studies are being conducted to cope with climate changes due to global warming and abnormal weather. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of weather on the growth, yield components, and quality of soybeans using weather data from 2017 and 2018. The average temperature in 2018 was higher than that in 2017 from R1 to R5 of the growth stage for all cultivars. On the other hand, precipitation in 2018 was reduced compared to that in 2017 for Daewon and Daepung-2ho. It was observed that the flowering date in 2018 was earlier than that in 2017 for Daewon and Daepung-2ho, but the flowering date for Pungsannamul in 2018 was similar to that in 2017. Simulating soil water content with the estimation model (AFKAE0.5) determined that there were fewer drought dates in 2017 than those in 2018, and drought lasted from R1 to early R5 of the growth stage in 2018. Soybean growth in 2017 was better than that in 2018, and seed yield and 100-seed weight of soybean were higher in 2017 than those in 2018 for all cultivars. The seed size in 2017 was larger than that in 2018 for all cultivars. Oil content in 2017 was higher than that in 2018; in particular, the difference between both years was observed for Daewon and Daepung-2ho. Protein content was higher in 2018 than that in 2017; however, there were different levels for each cultivar. Thus, these results indicate that the yield component and quality of soybeans are affected by high temperature and drought.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.708-717
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• 2018

The antioxidant activity and protective effects of a hot water extract from the Stauntonia hexaphylla fruit (WESHF) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of WESHF were $16.13{\pm}0.27mg$ gallic acid equivalent/g and $4.7{\pm}0.80mg$ catechin equivalent/g, respectively. In addition, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) and the Oxygen Radical Absorbance capacity of WESHF were $63.62{\pm}4.10{\mu}g/ml$ and $90.63{\pm}5.29{\mu}M$ trolox equivalent/g, respectively. The hepatoprotective effect of WESHF against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage was investigated. $H_2O_2$-induced liver damage on HepG2 cells was prevented by $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF. Furthermore, to investigate the protection mechanism of WESHF on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, pre-treatment with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF significantly attenuated a decrease in the activities of CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx. The hepatoprotective activity of WESHF was evaluated in an experimental model of hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen (APAP). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly decreased in the livers of mice treated with 200 mg/kg of WESHF compared to the APAP-treated group. The lipid peroxidation level, which increased after APAP administration, was significantly reduced in the WESHF group. In addition, histological examinations of the liver showed the same protective effect of WESHF treatment. Based on these findings, it is suggested that WESHF has potent hepatoprotective effects, and the mechanism that causes this type of protection could be related to antioxidant pathways.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 1992

The tegumental ultrastructure of juvenile and adult Echinostoma cinetorchis (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Three-day (juvenile) and 16-day (adult) worms were harvested from rats (Sprague-Dawley) experimentally fed the metacercariae from the laboratory-infected fresh water snail, Hippeutis cantori. The worms were fifed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, processed routinely, and observed by an ISI Korea DS-130 scanning electron microscope. The 3-day old juvenile worms were elongated and ventrally curved, with their ventral sucker near the anterior two-fifths of the body. The head crown was bearing 37∼38 collar spines arranged in a zigzag pattern. The lips of the oral and ventral suckers had 8 and 5 type II sensory papillae respectively, and bewteen the spines, a few type III papillae were observed. Tongue or spade-shape spines were distributed anteriorly to the ventral sucker, whereas peg-like spines were distributed posteriorly and became sparse toward the posterior body. The spines of the dorsal surface were similar to those of the ventral surface. The 16-day old adults were leaf-like, and their oral and ventral suckers were located very closely. Aspinous head crown, oral and ventral suckers had type II and type III sensory papillae, and numerous type I papillae were distributed on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker. Scale-like spines, with broad base and round tip, were distributed densely on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker but they became sparse posteriorly. At the dorsal surface, spines were observed at times only at the anterior body. The results showed that the tegument of E. cinetorchis is similar to that of other echinostomes, but differs in the number and arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumenal spines, and type and distribution of sensory papillae.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.118-129
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• 1993

In order to approach the nursing care of clients who are using oriental medicine and to understand the perception of the client who uses oriental medicine practices and the need to develop a model of nursing related to oriental medicine it is important to examine the major nursing concepts as they are found in oriental medicine and as they are differently defined according to the basic thought, theory and philosophical perspectives between East and West. Oriental medicine developed based on Sung Confucianism the teachings of Chut-zu, especially Tai-Chi-Tu Shuo and energy thought which are similar to traditional Korean Sasang Constitutional medicine. The basic theory on which oriental medicine is build is the theory of the five elements of Yin / Eum-Yang Theory(cosmic dual forces) and Meridian Theory. The most important attribute of Yin Yang is the concept of duality, confrontation and dependence, within Yin Yang but which do not exist separately. That is, the universe is a vast, indivisible entity within which all things exist in harmonious interdependence and balance. Harmony is achieved only when the two primorial forces, Yin and Yang, are brought into perfect balance. Each is contained within the other and there is a continuing interchange between the two. This also applies to the human body including human health which is defined as balanced harmony. The most universal connection of Yin and Yang is found in the universe where the five elements of life, fire, water, earth, wood and metal can be explained as having either Yin or Yang and therefore being in a state of connectedness but systematically circulating between the two, that is essentalilly one (the control of the unified ) or as coexistant poles of individual wholes (the pluralism of Yin Yang Theory) so that it is all unified(balanced) in the Great Absoulte. Human beings also maintain a balance of Yin and Yang in the five elements and this relationship is very important in approaching ·oriental medicine, The meridians are the channels in the body through which the life force flow throughout the body. In oriental medicine the meridians are seen as the railroad, the acupuncture points on the meridians as the stations and energy as the train. In the normal healthy organism, all are maintained in balance and in a contiuous circulation of energy. illness is the result of the energy flow becoming disarranged. Although practitioners of oriental medicine approach the client differently than do practitioners of Western medicine and their method of examining the patient is different, the basic objectives of the examination are the same for practitioners of both types of medicine. Therefore if each could be used to supplement the defiencies in the other and achieve a harmonious cooperation between the two, a higher level of care which is culturally appropriate to korean culture could be achieved. The traditional korean concept of health is a naturalistic view which emphasizes being in harmony with nature. Any manifestation of disease is considered a sign that the body is in a state of disequilibrium and is thus no longer in harmony with the universe. The wholistic view of the world held by practitioners of oriental medicine can be used by nursing in the development of a world view of nursing in which the human being is seen within the macrocosm as part of the natural phenomenon of the universe and but also as a microcosm of the universe, a universe which is a vast and indivisible entity within which all things exist in harmonious interdependence and balance. Interaction between human beings and their environment and the relationship of this interaction to health are concepts that are also found in nursing. Nursing views human brings, not as an accumulation of separate cells and organs but, as unified wholes interacted in very close relationship nth their environment. Nursing also maintains a view of human beings in which emphasis is placed on the role of the mind in explaining the concepts of harmony and balance in health. Although there are differences between oriental medicine and nursing in approaches to clients, the basic point of view and philosophy have many fundamental similarites. An understanding of the basic thought and philosophy of oriental medicine if applied to nursing, would allow for the development, not only of nursing related to oriental medicine, but of a nursing theory appropriate to the korean context.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.647-655
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• 2011

The neurotoxicity of aggregated amyloid ${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) has been implicated as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It can cause neurotoxicity in AD by evoking a cascade of apoptosis to neuron. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of cilostazol, which acts as a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, on $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity in mouse neuronal cells and cognitive decline in the C57BL/6J AD mouse model via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$ activation. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ significantly reduced cell viability and increased the number of apoptotic-like cells. Cilostazol treatment recovered cells from $A{\beta}$-induced cell death as well as rosiglitazone, a PPAR-${\gamma}$ activator. These effects were suppressed by GW9662, an antagonist of PPAR-${\gamma}$ activity, indicative of a PPAR-${\gamma}$-mediated signaling. In addition, cilostazol and rosiglitazone also restored PPAR-${\gamma}$ activity levels that had been altered as a result of $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ treatment, which were antagonized by GW9662. Furthermore, cilostazol also markedly decreased the number of apoptotic-like cells and decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Intracerebroventricular injection of $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ in C57BL/6J mice resulted in impaired cognitive function. Oral administration of cilostazol (20 mg/kg) for 2 weeks before $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ injection and once a day for 4 weeks post-surgery almost completely prevented the $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cognitive deficits, as did rosiglitazone. Taken together, our findings suggest that cilostazol could attenuate $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell injury and apoptosis as well as promote the survival of neuronal cells, subsequently improving cognitive decline in AD, partly because of PPAR-${\gamma}$ activation. The phosphodiesterase III inhibitor cilostazol may be the basis of a novel strategy for the therapy of AD.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.57-73
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• 2008

Nitrate concentrations were measured up to 49 mg/L (as $NO_3$-N) and 22% of the samples exceeded drinking water standard in shallow and bedrock groundwater of the northern Nonsan area. Nitrate concentrations showed a significant difference among land use groups. To predict nitrate concentration in groundwater, multiple regression analysis was carried out using hydrogeologic parameters of soil media, topography and land use which were categorized as several groups, well depth and altitude, and field parameters of temperature, pH, DO and EC. Hydrogeologic parameters were quantified as area proportions of each category within circular buffers centering at wells. Regression was performed to all the combination of variables and the most relevant model was selected based on adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj. $R^2$). Regression using hydrogelogic parameters with varying buffer radii show highest Adj. $R^2$ at 50m and 300m for shallow and bedrock groundwater, respectively. Shallow groundwater has higher Adj. $R^2$ than bedrock groundwater indicating higher susceptibility to hydrogeologic properties of surface environment near the well. Land use and soil media was major explanatory variables for shallow and bedrock groundwater, respectively and residential area was a major variable in both shallow and bedrock groundwater. Regression involving hydrogeologic parameters and field parameters showed that EC, paddy and pH were major variables in shallow groundwater whereas DO, EC and natural area were in bedrock groundwater. Field parameters have much higher explanatory power over the hydrogeologic parameters suggesting field parameters which are routinely measured can provide important information on each well in assessment of nitrate contamination. The most relevant buffer radii can be applied to estimation of travel time of contaminants in surface environment to wells.