• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.7 s.264
• /
• pp.527-533
• /
• 2006

Background: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the results of St. Jude Medical mitral valve replacement at the Chonbuk National University Hospital since the initial implant in May 1984. Material and Method: Between May of 1984 and December of 1996, 95 patients underwent MVR with the St. Jude Medical mechanical valve prosthesis at Department of Medical Science of Chonbuk National University Hospital and follow-up ended in May of 2004. Result: Age ranged from 19 to 69 years. Follow-up (mean${\pm}$standard deviation) averaged $10.6{\pm}4.2\;year$. Thirty-day operative mortality was 4.2% (4/95). Nine late deaths have occurred and actuarial survival was $90.5{\pm}3.0%,\;87.9{\pm}3.4%\;and\;83.2{\pm}4.6%$ at 5, 10 and 20 years, respectively. Probability of freedom from valve-rotated death was $95.5{\pm}2.1%,\;94.3{\pm}2.4%\;and\;91.0{\pm}3.9%$ at 5, 10 and 20 years, respectively. Seven patients have sustained thromboembolic events (1,05%/patient-year). Fifteen patients had anticoagulation related hemorrhage (3.56%/patient-year). There was no structural valve deterioration. Probability of freedom from all complications was $82.0{\pm}3.9%,\;71.3{\pm}4.8%\;and\;42.4{\pm}10.5%$ at 5, 10 and 20 years, respectively. Conclusion: We confirm the effective and excellent durability of the St. Jude Medical prosthesis in the mitral position with a low event rate at long-term follow-up. It also demonstrates the commonly encountered practical difficulty of adjusting the anti-coagulation protocol in patients with prosthetic mitral valves.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.587-599
• /
• 2017

The immune response against Trichinella spiralis at the intestinal level depends on the $CD4^+$ T cells, which can both suppress or promote the inflammatory response through the synthesis of diverse cytokines. During the intestinal phase, the immune response is mixed (Th1/Th2) with the initial predominance of the Th1 response and the subsequent domination of Th2 response, which favor the development of intestinal pathology. In this context, the glucocorticoids (GC) are the pharmacotherapy for the intestinal inflammatory response in trichinellosis. However, its therapeutic use is limited, since studies have shown that treatment with GC suppresses the host immune system, favoring T. spiralis infection. In the search for novel pharmacological strategies that inhibit the Th1 immune response (proinflammatory) and assist the host against T. spiralis infection, recent studies showed that resiniferatoxin (RTX) had anti-inflammatory activity, which decreased the serum levels of IL-12, $INF-{\gamma}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, NO, and $PGE_2$, as well the number of eosinophils in the blood, associated with decreased intestinal pathology and muscle parasite burden. These researches demonstrate that RTX is capable to inhibit the production of Th1 cytokines, contributing to the defense against T. spiralis infection, which places it as a new potential drug modulator of the immune response.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.268-275
• /
• 2003

Background: Hemopoietic cells require the constant presence of growth factors for survival in vitro and in vivo. Caspases have been known as central executors of apoptotic cell death. We have, therefore, investigated the pathways that regulate caspase activity and apoptosis using the $CD34^+$ cell line, TF-1 which requires GM-CSF for survival. Methods: Apoptosis was measured by annexin V staining and mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by DiOC6 labelling. Intracellular pH was measured using pH sensitive fluorochrome, BCECF or SNARF-1, followed by flow cytometry analysis. Caspase activation was analyzed by PARP cleavage using anti-PARP antibody. Results: Removal of GM-CSF induceed PARP cleavage, a hallmark of caspase activity, concomitant with pHi acidification and a drop in mitochondrial potential. Treatment with ZVAD, a competitive inhibitor of caspases, partially rescued cell death without affecting pHi acidification and the reduction of mitochondrial potential, suggesting that both these events act upstream of caspases. Overexpression of Bcl-2 prevented cell death induced by GM-CSF deprivation as well as pHi acidification and the reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. In parental cells maintained with GM-CSF, EIPA, a competitive inhibitor of $Na^+/H^+$ antiporter induced apoptosis, accompanied by a drastic reduction in mitochondrial potential. In contrast, EIPA induced apoptosis in Bcl-2 transfectants without causing mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that the regulation of $H^+$fluxes, either through a mitochondriondependent or independent pathway, is central to caspase activation and apoptosis.

• Air Cleaning Technology
• /
• v.17 no.4 s.67
• /
• pp.39-57
• /
• 2004

첨단산업으로 불리는 반도체, LCD, PDP, 유기EL(OLED) 등의 생산 공정은 고도의 청정상태를 요구하며, 때문에 이들의 생산공정 중 대부분이 클린룸 내에서 이루어진다. 클린룸 내에서의 주요공정은 크게 박막형성(Layering), 노광(Photo Lithography), 식각(Etching) 등 3가지 공정으로 나눌 수 있으며, 반도체 제조공정의 경우 특별히 도핑(Doping) 공정이 추가된다. 오염물질을 함유하는 클린룸 배기는 일반적으로 산, 알칼리, Toxic(PFCs, Flammable), VOC 등으로 분류하며, 각각의 배기는 각 배기특성에 맞는 오염제어 장치를 통해, 정화된 후, 대기로 방출된다. 산, 알칼리 배기는 일반적으로 최종 단계에서 중앙집중식 습식스크러버에 의해 흡수, 중화 처리되며, VOC의 경우 농축기(Concentrator) & 축열식 열 산화장치(RTO) 설비에 의해 연소 처리된다. 하지만 CVD공정으로부터의 배기가 주를 이루는 Toxic배기의 경우, 다량의 PFCs(과불소화합물) 가스를 함유하고 있는 이유로, 대부분 클린룸 내부에 P.O.U(Point of use) 처리장치가 설치되며, P.O.U에 의해 1차 처리된 후 최종적으로 중앙집중식 습식스크러버를 거쳐 대기로 방출된다. 알칼리배기의 주성분으로는 암모니아($NH_3$), HMDS (Hexa Methyl DiSilazane), TMAH (Tetra Methyl Ammonium Hydroxide), LGL, CD 등이며 흡수액에 황산(Sulfuric Acid)용액을 공급, 중화처리하고 있다. 탄소성분을 먹이로 하는 미생물의 번식에 의한 막힘 문제를 제외하고는 큰 문제가 없다. 하지만 Toxic배기 및 산배기의 경우 처리효율이, 가스흡수 이론에 의한 계산결과와 비교할 때, 매우 저조하게 나타나는 효율부족 현상을 겪고 있으며, 이는 잔여 PFCs 가스성분 및 반응에어로졸, 응축에어로졸 등의 영향으로 추정하고 있다. 최근 Toxic 배기의 경우, P.O.U 설비를 Burn & Wet type으로 변경하여, 배기 중 PFCs 및 반응에 에어로졸($SiO_2$)의 농도를 원천적으로 감소시키는 노력이 진행 중이다. 산배기의 경우, 산결로 현상에 의한, 응축에어로졸이 문제가 되고 있으나 내식열교환기(Anti-Corrosive Heat Exchanger), 하전액적스크러버 시스템(Charged Droplets Scrubber System), Wet ESP(Wet Electrostatic Procipitator) 등의 도입을 통해 문제해결을 위한 노력을 경주하고 있다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2014.02a
• /
• pp.471.2-471.2
• /
• 2014

We demonstrate here that an improvement in precursor film density (green density) leads to a great enhancement in the photovoltaic performance of CuInSe2 (CISe) thin film solar cells fabricated with Cu-In nanoparticle precursor films via chemical solution deposition. A cold-isostatic pressing (CIP) technique was applied to uniformly compress the precursor film over the entire surface (measuring 3~4 cm2) and was found to increase its relative density (particle packing density) by ca. 20%, which resulted in an appreciable improvement in the microstructural features of the sintered CISe film in terms of lower porosity, reduced grain boundaries, and a more uniform surface morphology. The low-bandgap (Eg=1.0 eV) CISe PV devices with the CIP-treated film exhibited greatly enhanced open-circuit voltage (VOC, from 0.265 V to 0.413 V) and fill factor (FF, from 0.34 to 0.55), as compared to the control devices. As a consequence, an almost 3-fold increase in the average power conversion efficiency, 3.0 to 8.2% (with the highest value of 9.02%), was realized without an anti-reflection coating. A diode analysis revealed that the enhanced VOC and FF were essentially attributed to the reduced reverse saturation current density (j0) and diode ideality factor (n). This is associated with the suppressed recombination, likely due to the reduction in recombination sites such as grain/air surfaces (pores), inter-granular interfaces, and defective CISe/CdS junctions in the CIP-treated device. From the temperature dependences of VOC, it was confirmed that the CIP-treated devices suffer less from interface recombination.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.381-394
• /
• 2011

In Korea, the number of foreigners reached about 1,260,000. So we are now living in a multicultural society. There are more than 36,000 multicultural students in kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school(2010's standards). In other words, Still more multicultural students are expected to increase in the future. As a matter of fact, one of the biggest problems which mixed couples and immigrants from other countries have had is most concerned about possible bias and discrimination of their children. Study has shown that multicultural students are alienated from the others at school, because of their skin colours, the pronunciation they speak Korean, and maladjustment in their school life. Actually, multi-cultural education program should be applied to the first grade in elementary school. Besides, teachers have to direct multicultural and general students with integrated education. Study also found that it is necessary to use more visuals and pictures as the main multi-cultural education. And books and CDs should be used as guide materials. It's desirable that the appropriate time to teach relate to lesson.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.168-178
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Mahuang-Chuanwu(Mahwang-Cheonoh) Pharmacopuncture(MCP) has been used to treat obesity in Clinical Korean Medicine. MCP solution(MCPS) is also expected to have strong anti-obesity activities. However, little is known about the mechanisms of its inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis. Methods : In the present study, we examined the effects of MCPS on differentiation and lipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To elucidate the mechanism of the effects of MCPS on lowering lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we examined whether MCPS modulates the expressions of transcription factors to induce lipogenesis and adipogenic genes related to regulate the accumulation of lipids. Results : Our results showed that MCPS significantly inhibited differentiation and lipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. MCPS suppressed the mRNA expressions of cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine(CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$($C/EBP{\alpha}$), C/EBP ${\beta}$, $C/EBP{\delta}$, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$($PPAR{\gamma}$) genes related to the induction of adipose differentiation. MCPS inhibited the mRNA expressions of adipose-specific aP2, adipsin, lipoprotein lipase(LPL), CD36, TGF-${\beta}$, and leptin genes related to the fat formation. MCPS downregulated the mRNA expressions of liver X receptor(LXR) ${\alpha}$ and fatty acid synthase(FAS) genes related to the induction of lipogenesis. In addition, MCPS reduced the production of adipocyte-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions : MCPS could regulate the accumulation of lipids and expression of adipogenic genes via inhibition of transcript factors related to induction of adipose differentiation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2019

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG; Panax ginseng Meyer) is a widely used medicinal herb known to exert various immune modulatory functions. KRG and one of its purified components, ginsenoside Rg3, are known to possess anti-inflammatory activities. How they impact helper T cell-mediated responses is not fully explored. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effect of KRG extract (KRGE) and ginsenoside Rg3 on Th1 cell responses. Methods: Using well-characterized T cell in vitro differentiation systems, we examined the effects of KRGE or enhanced Rg3 on the Th1-inducing cytokine production from dendritic cells (DC) and the naïve $CD4^+$ T cells differentiation to Th1 cells. Furthermore, we examined the change of Th1 cell population in the intestine after treatment of enhanced Rg3. The influence of KRGE or enhanced Rg3 on Th1 cell differentiation was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KRGE significantly inhibited the production level of IL-12 from DCs and subsequent Th1 cell differentiation. Similarly, enhanced Rg3 significantly suppressed the expression of interferon gamma ($IFN{\gamma}$) and T-bet in T cells under Th1-skewing condition. Consistent with these effects in vitro, oral administration of enhanced Rg3 suppressed the frequency of Th1 cells in the Peyer's patch and lamina propria cells in vivo. Conclusion: Enhanced Rg3 negatively regulates the differentiation of Th1 cell in vitro and Th1 cell responses in the gut in vivo, providing fundamental basis for the use of this agent to treat Th1-related diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.809-818
• /
• 2022

Background: The non-saponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng is a powder in which saponin is eliminated from red ginseng concentrate by fractionation. In this study, we examined the effect of NSF on age-associated sarcopenia in old mice. Methods: NSF (50 or 200 mg/kg/day) was administered orally daily to young (3-6-month-old) and old (20-24-month-old) C57BL/6 J mice for 6 weeks. Body weight and grip strength were assessed once a week during the oral administration period. The gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscle were excised, and the muscle fiber size was compared through hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, the effect of NSF on sarcopenia and inflammation/oxidative stress-related factors in hindlimb muscles was investigated by western blotting. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of NSF on immune homeostasis. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture, and the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and glutathione were evaluated. Results: NSF significantly alleviated muscle strength, mass, and also fiber size in old mice. Age-associated impairment of immune homeostasis was recovered by NSF through retaining CD11b⁺F4/80⁺ macrophages and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. NSF also decreased the age-induced expression of oxidative stress factors. Taken together, NSF showed the effect of improving sarcopenia by inhibiting low-grade chronic inflammatory/oxidative stress factors. Conclusion: NSF exhibited anti-sarcopenia effects by regulating chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in old mice. Thus, we suggest that NSF is a promising restorative agent that can be used to improve sarcopenia in the elderly as well as maintain immune homeostasis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.221-227
• /
• 2004

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly the highly selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors have been shown to decrease the growth of tumor, in part, by inhibition of neovascularization. Recently, besides mature endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been shown to contribute neovascularization in angiogenic tissues. In this study, we addressed a question whether nimesulide, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, could affect differentiation of EPCs into adhesive endothelial cells in vitro. Total mononuclear cells were isolated from cord blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and then the cells were incubated with nimesulide or vehicle control for 7 days. The number of adherent and spindle-shaped cells decreased by nimesulide treatment in a concentration-dependent fashion at a concentration range of 5 - 200 ${\mu}M$. Moreover, the adherent cells double positive for DiI-ac-LDL uptake and lectin binding significantly decreased upon nimesulide treatment. There was no change of expression of CD31 between treatment and control groups, whereas slight reduction was detected upon treatment in expression of VE-cadherin, ICAM-1, vWF, ${\alpha}v$, and ${\alpha}5$. Nimesulide also reduced cell viability during first 3 days' culture and induced apoptosis in adherent EPCs, resulting in increased annexin-V-positive and propidium iodide-negative cells. Taken together, these results suggest that nimesulide could be applied for the inhibition of new vessel formation, in part, by inhibiting differentiation and survival of EPCs.