• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2001

To determine if initial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis changes the balance of cytokines between T cells and macrophages, we evaluated interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$), interleukin-12 (IL)-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ productions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 15 untreated active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and 12 healthy tuberculin reactors (HTR). Freshly isolated PBMC were stimulated with Triton X-100 solubilized protein (TSP), 30-kDa or purified protein derivatives (PPD) antigen for 6, 18 and 96 hours. IL-12 p40 production by antigen-stimulated PBMC from TB patients was significantly decreased compared with that in HTR. In addition, IFN-${\gamma}$ production was significantly depressed in TB patients than that in HTR at a 96-hr stimulation. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ production was significantly higher in antigen-stimulated PBMC from TB than that of HTR. A pronounced increase in IFN-${\gamma}$ protein followed neutralization of IL-10 in early TB patients. However, neutralization of TNF-${\alpha}$ did not significantly alter IFN-${\gamma}$ induction in PBMC from TB patients. There were no significantly differences in the cytokine productions among three proteins, TSP, 30-kDa or PPD antigen. These results indicate that development of TB may be strongly associated with dysregulated productions of IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$, during the initial immune responses to M. tuberculosis. Further understanding of operative cytokine networks during human immune cell responses to protein antigens of M. tuberculosis may improve strategies for vaccine development.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.77 no.4
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• pp.361-370
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• 1988

This study was carried out for observation of growth, mycorrhizal formation and nutrient absorption of Pinus thunbergii seedlings treated with two soil mixtures and various nitrogen levels after inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus, Pisolithus tinctorius. 1. Seedlings grown on vermiculite applied with $50-150{\mu}g/ml$ nitrogen levels were well developed with pinnate type and cluster-like mycorrhizae. But seedlings on sandy loam had monopodial type in addition to the above-mentioned two types. 2. Optimum fertilization level for mycorrhizal formation is 50 or $150{\mu}g/ml$ N that showed best mycorrhizal formation of $86.4({\pm}3.14)%$ or $73.0({\pm}7.21)%$, respectively, but increased nitrogen levels decreased formation of mycorrhizal short roots. Seedlings applied with $450{\mu}g/ml$ nitrogen level decreased in net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate(CGR) during early growth of the seedlings, and they were increased since Aug, when nutrient application was stopped. 9. Inorganic nutrient absorption was increased more in seedlings grown on vermiculite and inoculated growth medium than those grown on sandy loam and noninoculated one, and it was gradually increased with increasing nitrogen increasing nitrogen level until $350{\mu}g/ml$. But $450{\mu}g/ml$ nitro gen level rather reduced absorption of nutrient.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2001

This study was conducted to determine developmental ability of reconstructed embryos by nuclear transfer using somatic cell of Korean bull with high genetic value. Fibroblast cells obtained from ear biopsy of the bull were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) at 37$^{\circ}C$ in air containing 5% $CO_2$. The cummulus-oocyte complexes were collected from slaughterhouse and were matured in vitro for 20 h in TCM 199 culture medium and the oocytes were then enucleated in modified phosphate buffered saline with cytochalasin B. Matured bovine oocytes were enucleated by aspirating the first polar body and metaphase chromatin using a beveled pipette in modified phosphate buffered saline. The ear fibroblast cells were fused into enucleated oocyte by electrical stimulation. The reconstructed oocytes were activated with ionomycine and 6-dimethylaminopurine, and then cultured in CR1aa medium for 7.5 days. Out of 524 bovine eggs reconstructed by nuclear transfer 65.6%(277/422) embryos were cleaved, and 30.7% (85/277) cleaved embryos were developed to the morula to blastocysts. There was no difference of developmental ability in vitro of reconstructed embryos regardless of donor cell passages. In order to determine fate of foreign mitochondria of donor nucleus, the Mito Tracker stained cells were fused into enucleated oocytes. The donor mitochondria were detected early stage of embryos, but disappeared rapidly. The developmental ability of reconstructed embryos was not impaired by Mito Tracker treatments. The results indicate that viable reconstructed embryos can be producted by nuclear transfer using somatic cell of Korean bulls.bulls.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.596-603
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• 1998

Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome(LEMS) is a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by defects in the secretion of acetylcholine from the presynaptic membrane of nerve terminals and is strongly associated with small cell lung carcinoma. The pathogenesis of LEMS is the destruction of voltage gated calcium channels by an autoimmune process resulting in clinical manifestations consisting of lower extremity weakness. decreased deep tendon reflexes and autonomic dysfunctions. The diagnosis can be confirmed by the characteristic clinical features and repetitive nerve stimulation. The neurological symptoms and signs of LEMS may manifest themselves months before the clinical manifestation of the underlying malignancy. Therefore early diagnosis and treatment of the primary malignancy may become possible through the diagnosis of this rare paraneoplastic syndrome. We report a case of a patient diagnosed with LEMS who upon further evaluation for an underlying malignancy was found to have a 0.2 cm sized nodular and infiltrative mass lesion at the bifurcation of the left apicoposterior segmental and anterior segmental bronchi by bronchoscopy. Although repeated bronchoscopic biopsies of the lesion was not able to disclose malignancy, under strong clinical suspicion left upper lobectomy was performed and subsequently the diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the lung was confirmed. Muscle weakness began to improve starting from a week after the surgery, then reached a plateau 2 weeks later. Muscle weakness improved further after the trial of anticancer chemotherapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Objective: We evaluated the fertilization potential of immature oocytes obtained from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles of patients undergoing ICSI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 463 ICSI cycles containing at least one immature oocyte at oocyte denudation. ICSI was performed on mature oocytes at oocyte denudation (metaphase-II [MII] oocytes) and the oocytes that extruded the first polar body between oocyte denudation and ICSI (MI-MII oocytes). Fertilization and early embryonic development were compared between MII and MI-MII oocytes. To investigate the pregnancy potential of MI-MII oocytes, the pregnancy outcome was analyzed in 24 ICSI cycles containing only immature oocytes at retrieval. Results: The fertilization rate of MI-MII oocytes (37.0%) was significantly lower than that of MII oocytes (72.3%). The rates of delayed embryos and damaged embryos did not significantly differ. Eighty-one immature oocytes were retrieved in 24 cycles that retrieved only immature oocytes and 61 (75.3%) of them were in the MI stage. ICSI was performed on 36 oocytes (59.0%) that extruded the first polar body before ICSI and nine MI-MII oocytes (25.0%) were fertilized. Embryo transfers were performed in five cycles. Pregnancy was observed in one cycle, but it ended in biochemical pregnancy. Conclusion: In ICSI cycles, oocytes that extruded the first polar body between denudation and ICSI can be used as a source of oocytes for sperm injection. However, their fertilization and pregnancy potential are lower than that of mature oocytes. Therefore, ovarian stimulation should be performed carefully for mature oocytes obtained at retrieval, especially in cycles with a small number of retrieved oocytes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.365-371
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• 2006

Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture (BVA) simultaneously exerts pharmacological effects of biologically active compounds, existed in the whole bee venom, and medicinal effect of the stimulation of acupuncture points. BVA has been considered as a promising therapeutic method for treating various chronic diseases, mainly accompanying severe pain and inflammation. As a painless injection device, jet injectors have been commercially marketed for various clinical applications including insulin injection and vaccination. Among them, a pressure-driven jet injector system could be used for intradermal delivery of a variety of drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of the BVA using a needle-free injector (Biojector $2000^{\circledR}$, Bioject Inc., OR, USA), compared to the conventional BV aqua-acupuncture using a typical syringe. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with bee venom $(0.08mg/kg,\;50{\mu}l)$ using Biojector $2000^{\circledR}$ (BVA-B) or a syringe (BVA-5) into the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint, 30 minutes before plantar injection of 2% formalin. It was found that BVA-B-, or BVA-5-treated rats, compared to controls, exhibited significantly less licking behavior during the late phase in the rat formalin test, when compared to controls. During early phase, however, those effects were not significant but substantial. The analgesic effect of BVA-B was also compatible with that of the conventional BVA-5. In the immunohistochemical studies, BVA-B significantly suppressed the expression of formalin-evoked c-fos, a biomarker of neuronal activity, in the lumbar dorsal horn of the spinal cord. These results indicated that BVA-B waseffective in the modulation of pain in the rat formalin test, compared to BVA-5. Taken together, the needle-free jet injector system could be substituted for the conventional aqua- acupuncture with the advantage of little pain.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.325-329
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• 2010

Toxoplasma gondii KI-1, a recent new isolate from Korea, shows similar pathogenicity and infectivity to mice compared to the virulent RH strain. To understand characteristics of host immunity, including immune enhancement or suppression, we investigated proliferative responses and phenotypes of spleen cells. In addition, kinetics of IFN-${\gamma}$, a Th1 cytokine, was examined in BALB/c mice up to day 6 post-infection (PI). Intraperitoneal injection of mice with $10^3$ KI-1 tachyzoites induced significant decreases (P < 0.05) in proliferative responses of spleen cells. This occurred at days 2-6 PI even when concanavalin A (con A) was added and when stimulated with KI-1 antigen, suggesting suppression of the immunity. $CD4^+$ T-cells decreased markedly at day 2 PI (P < 0.05), whereas $CD8^+$ T-cells, NK cells, and macrophages did not show significant changes, except a slight, but significant, increase of $CD8^+$ T-cells at day 6 PI. The capacity of splenocytes to produce IFN-${\gamma}$ by con A stimulation dropped significantly at days 2-6 PI. These results demonstrate that intraperitoneal injection of KI-1 tachyzoites can induce immunosuppression during the early stage of infection, as revealed by the decrease of $CD4^+$ T-cells and IFN-${\gamma}$.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.337-347
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin E ($\alpha$-tocopherol) administration on bone formation in response to expansion of the inter-premaxillary suture, in rats, histomorphometrically. Methods: Thirty 50 - 60 day old Wistar rats were separated into five equal groups (one control and four experimental). All groups were subjected to inter-premaxilla expansion with 50-gram of force. Six control animals received saline solution (Group I) and three experimental groups were treated with a single dose of $\alpha$-tocopherol injected into the inter-premaxillary suture after one day after appliance placement (Group II: 2 mg/kg; Group III: 10 mg/kg; and Group IV: 50 mg/kg). A further group of six animals received three injections of 10 mg/kg $\alpha$-tocopherol, one each on days 3, 6, and 9 (Group V). Bone formation in the suture was evaluated by bone histomorphometry. Kruskal-Wallis rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical evaluation at p < 0.05 level. Results: New bone area, bone perimeter, feret's diameter and newly formed bone measurements were significantly higher in the experimental groups than the control (p < 0.001). Bone architecture in $\alpha$-tocopherol administrated groups was improved, and bone formation during the expansion period was stimulated significantly, in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: The application of $\alpha$-tocopherol during the early stages to orthopedically expanded inter-premaxillary suture areas may stimulate bone formation and shorten the retention period, in rats.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.352-358
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• 2017

Frontotemporal dementia, the second most common cause of early onset dementia, is a neurodegenerative clinical syndrome characterized by progressive deficits in behavior, executive function and language. Although motor symptoms in frontotemporal dementia are represented by motor neuron disease, parkinsonism and progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome, there have been no reports of motor weakness caused by the direct involvement of central motor nervous systems in frontotemporal dementia. Moreover, no association between clinical dementia groups and complex regional pain syndrome has been reported. We diagnosed a rare case with motor weakness and complex regional pain syndrome of lower limbs due to central nervous system lesion in a patient with frontotemporal dementia by magnetic resonance imaging, electrodiagnostic study and three phase bone scan. Following steroid therapy for complex regional pain syndrome, pain was improved. Functional improvement was noted after rehabilitation therapy, including functional electrical stimulation, muscle strengthening exercise and gait training during hospitalization. This case report suggests that rehabilitation therapy for motor weakness in frontotemporal dementia could be effective for improving overall function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.554-561
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• 2009

Soyangin-Hyeongbangpaedok-san(SHBPDS) is a herbal formula used for the common cold or upper respiratory illness. In order to investigate the effect of SHBPDS, mice were orally administered with SHBPDS alcohol extract for 7 days followed by intravenous anti-CD3 injection. In addition, splenocytes and CD4 T cells were cultured with SHBPDS in response to anti-CD3 in vitro and cytokines and transcription factors were evaluated. In vivo treatment with SHBPDS significantly augmented the expressions of the percentage of CD4 T cells and CD 69, an indicator of early T cell activation. Serum levels of IL-4 were significantly increased but those of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-2 did not reach statistical significance. The expressions of IFN-${\gamma}$ and T-bet mRNA were significantly downregulated in SHBPDS treated mice while those of IL-4 and C-Maf were significantly upregulated. In vitro stimulation of splenocytes and CD4 T cells by SHBPDS resulted in a reduction in IFN-${\gamma}$ secretion and STAT4 activity. The IL-4 releases from both cells were slightly reduced, but STAT6 activity was rather increased. In conclusion, SHBPDS exerted an inhibition in the expression of IFN-${\gamma}$, T-bet and STAT4 while IL-4, C-Maf and STAT6 were increased. Further studies are required to examine its pharmacological effects using more appropriate animal experiments.