• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Malaria is a re-emerging infectious disease that is spreading to areas where it had been eradicated, such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia. To avoid the mortality from malaria, early detection of the parasite is a very important issue. The peripheral blood smear has been the gold standard method for the diagnosis of malaria infection. Recently, several other methods have been introduced for quantitative detection of malaria parasites. Real time PCR that employs fluorescent labels to enable the continuous monitoring of PCR product formation throughout the reaction has recently been used to detect several human malaria parasites. 18S rRNA sequences from malaria parasites have been amplified using Taqman real time PCR assay. Here, a SYBR Green-based real time quantitative PCR assay for the detection of malaria parasite-especially, Plasmodium vivax - was applied for the evaluation of 26 blood samples from Korean malaria patients. Even though SYBR Green-based real time PCR is easier and cheaper than Taqman-based assay, SYBR Green-based assay cannot be used because 18S rRNA cannot be specifically amplified using 1 primer set. Therefore, we used DBP gene sequences from Plasmodium vivax, which is specific for the SYBR Green based assays. We amplified the DBP gene from the 26 blood samples of malaria patients using SYBR Green based assay and obtained the copy numbers of DBP genes for each sample. Also, we selected optimal reference gene between ACTB and B2M using real time assay to get the stable genes regardless of Malaria titer. Using selected ACTB reference genes, we successfully converted the copy numbers from samples into titer, ${\sharp}$ of parasites per microliter. Using the resultant titer from DBP based SYBER Green assay with ACTB reference gene, we compared the results from our study with the titer from Taqman-based assay. We found that our results showed identical tendency with the results of 18S rRNA Taqman assay, especially in lower titer range. Thus, our DBP gene-utilized real time assay can detect Plasmodium vivax in Korean patient group semi-quantitatively and easily.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: Anthracnose disease caused by Collectotrichum spp. is one of the most important worldwide devastating diseases in red pepper plants. Fungicides using plant extracts have several advantages, compared to synthetic chemical fungicides, because they are naturally occurring compounds, are usually safe for agricultural environment and are used for producing highly valuable agricultural products. Efforts for seeking an anti-fungal activities using naturally occurring compounds were mostly conducted from medicinal plant extracts. Sap of Rhus verniciflus was known to have healing effects on several human diseases. Recently, the extracts of Rhus verniciflus were actively tested for anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, and anti-fungal effects. In this study, the extract of Rhus verniciflus was tested for anti-fungal activity against Colletotrichum spp., which cause anthracnose in red-pepper. METHODS AND RESULTS: After neutralizing extracts of Rhus verniciflus (urushiol contents 70%) with autoclave, the crude extracts were used to investigate inhibitory effects for mycelial growth and spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. on PDA media. The mycelial growth and spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. were inhibited 18-39% and over 50% in response to crude extract of R. verniciflus (1.0 mg/mL). After spraying the extracts at the same concentrations above and then artificially inoculating Colletotrichum spp. on blue and red-pepper fruits, in vitro inhibition effects were examined. At 1.0 mg/mL, the crude extract of R. verniciflus showed inhibition activity in anthracnose incidence on blue- and red-pepper as 68.1-75.0%, through a artificial inoculation of Colletotrichum spp. in a laboratory. For in vivo inhibitory effects, the extracts (1.0, 0.1, and 0.01 mg/mL) were treated on red-pepper plants grown in green house 3 times at the interval of 1 week. Then inhibitory effects were determined by counting diseased fruits at 1 week after final treatment. The incidence of anthracnose was inhibited over 60% in the greenhouse by treatment of crude extract of R. verniciflus (1.0 mg/mL). CONCLUSION(s): Extracts of Rhus verniciflus were shown to have inhibitory effects on mycelial growth, spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. in vitro and on occurrence of anthracnose on pepper fruit in green house.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2 s.30
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• pp.453-489
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• 1995

The research of the phrases related with physiology of stomach and spleen in the contents of Huang Di Nei Jing(黃帝內經) known as the Bible of oriental medicine will make a contribution to a deep understanding of disease of stomach and spleen and a proper clinical diagnosis and treatment of them. In this research of the most appropriate glosses recorded nine kinds of representative medical books including Huang Di Nei Jing Somoon(黃帝內經素問) of Wang Bing(王氷) were picked out: The summaries of the selected contents are as follows: 1. The word 'saliva(涎)' in 'the spleen controls saliva(脾爲涎)' can be viewed as a generic term referring to oral cavity secretion gland as well as the secretion fluid of salivary gland. 2. The phases 'a large reservoir(太倉)', barn organs', 'a reserboir of food stuff', 'a stomach as the market(胃爲之市)', etc mean the function of stomach to receive food(胃主受納). 3. The phase 'generation of five tastes(五味出焉)' means both 'the function of stomach to transform food into chyme(胃主腐熟)' and 'the channelling function of spleen.(脾主運化)' 4. The flowing of the food-Qi(食氣) into stomach brings about spreading Jung(精) into liver and then percolating Jung(精) flow into channel. The channel-Qi(脈氣) flows into lung through channel. As a result, all kinds of channels gather together in lung and Jung(精) is sent into skin and hair. The assembly of Jung(精) with skins and channels moves Qi(氣) into fu-organ and so jung(精) and mental activity(神明) in fu-organ(府) come to be in four organs(四臟). Then if Qi(氣) comes back to power balance unit(權衡) being in the state of equilibrium(權衡以平), the hole of Qi(氣口) comes to determine the matter of life and death through achieving Chun-quan-chi(-寸-關-尺). The above mentioned phrases means the digestion, asorption and transmission of food. When food is taken in stomach, Jung-Qi(精氣) comes to be over flowed upward into spleen, back into lung, finally downward into bladders through water-conduit(水道) controlled by lung. When water- Jung(水精) radiates into whole body with channels of five organs(五臟), both of them fit together with and yin-yang(陰-陽). Therefore, the grasping of the rise and decline of yin-yang(陰C-陽) is necessary to consult patients. The above mentioned phrases is properly viewed to designate the asorption, transmission and excretion of food. 5. Spleen controls flesh(脾之合肉也), the state of spleen is known by human lips, and what this means is that liver plays functions of spread and expansion(肝主疏泄). 6. The phrase 'Jung Jung'((中精)) in 'gallbladder dominates Jung jung(膽主中精)', which in one of the specific expression of 'liver plays functions of spread and expansion(肝主疏泄). 7. It is right that the phase 'The eleven organs in all are determined by gallbladder'(凡十,一臟取決於膽也) is correctly paraphrased as 'only one of ten organs, spleen, is determined by gallbladder'.(凡十,一臟取決於膽也), 8. The small intestine is an organ. which receives the materials digested and sends them out. This means that the function of transforming materials(化物) factually refers to that of separating clearity and blur(泌別淸濁). And it is also thought to have the function of ascending clearity and descending blur(升淸降濁), 9. A large intestine is a transmitting organ(傳導之官) from which a change comes out(變化出焉). the phrase 'change'(變化) in this sentence means both the intake of water and nutrition and the formation procedure of stool through excretion of mucocele.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1979.05a
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• pp.3.2-3
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• 1979

Bone conduction loss is one of the most common complication in chronic otitis media, and is mostly high frequency loss. Of 233 tympanomastoidectomy ears, 187 ears were considered eligible for this study. A histopathological change was examined in the natural otitis media of guinea pigs. It is our intention to analyze the pattern of bone conduction loss in chronic otitis media, and to correlate this findings with clinical and pathological changes in human and animal otitis media. l) In unilateral cases, a significant difference in bone conduction threshold was observed between normal and diseased ears, and between each frequency with significant interaction between 2KHz and 4KHz (p 0.01). 2) Using one way analysis of variance, mean bone conduction was compared with the duration of disease. We observed a significant difference (p 0.05) between each group of duration, except between 11-15 and 15-20 years group. 3) A comparison of bone conduction between stapes loss group and intact stapes group revealed significant t ratio (p 0.01) at each frequency. The effect of stapes loss on each frequency was evaluated, using one way analysis of variance. there were significant difference(p 0.05) between 250Hz and 500Hz. and between 2KHz and 4KHz. 4) A comparison of bone conduction between round window obliteration and nonobliteration group revealed significant t ratio (p 0.01) at each frequency. Using one way analysis of variance. the effect of round window obliteration was evaluated in each frequency. We observed significant difference (p 0.05) between 250Hz and 500Hz. and between 2KHz and 4KHz. 5) A comparison of bone conduction between cholesteatoma and non -cholesteatoma group revealed significant t ratio (p 0.01) only in 2KHz and 4KHz. No significant differency was observed in mean bone conduction. 6) In a histopathological study of natural otitis media in guinea pig, we observed inflammatory infiltration of the round window membrane, serofibrinous precipitate in the scala tympani, and degeneration of the organ of Corti most significant near the basal turn. These changes would explain high tone bone conduction loss in the process of chronic otitis media.

• Clean Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration levels, distribution characteristics and blood concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at ambient air in Industrial Complex Area. The samples were collected at 4 sites in Industrial Complex Area and its vicinities. The result indicated that there was the difference of PAHs concentration as followed local characteristics. The level of average concentration of PAHs in the air in Industrial Complex Area was $14.52{\sim}193.48ng/m^3$. The level of average concentration of six materials with possibility of cancer creation was $1.65{\sim}13.44ng/m^3$. The concentrations of PAHs were generally low, but Jechul-dong is considered an area where consistent monitoring of PAHs is required. In addition, benzo(a)pyrene was detected in every atmospheric sample, however the concentration was not high. The level of concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in the air in the Jechul-dong was $2.89ng/m^3$. But, the concentration of the PAHs in Jechul-dong showed that the Benzo(a)pyrene concentration is above $1ng/m^3$ of air quality standard(EU). The results of the concentration level of PAHs in the blood from 240 persons who were exposed directly were surveyed, it was $1.12{\sim}11.45ng/m^3$ for man and $1.20{\sim}26.89ng/m^3$ for woman. It was indicated that the difference between the genders was very little. The accumulation inside human was anticipated as the PAHs concentration in the blood for the aged was very high. Industrial Complex Area and its vicinities are an area which has been greatly influenced by PAHs and environmental contaminants. It is necessary to control the emission sources of PAHs and to construct an observation system at Industrial Complex Area from now on. It is time to reduce the risk factors for health and environmental disease to protect the health of resident in Industrial Complex Area and its vicinities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of salted and fermented shrimp ethanol extract (SFS) on serum lipid metabolism and hepatocytes in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered 60% fat feed to induce hypercholesterolemia and were divided into five groups. Experimental groups were classified according to administered diet: normal diet group (NC), high cholesterol diet group (HC), high cholesterol and low dose shrimp extract (20 mg/kg) group (HC-SFSL), high cholesterol and high dose shrimp extract (200 mg/kg) group (HC-SFSH), and high cholesterol and lovastatin (20 mg/kg) group (HC-Lov). The experimental diets were fed ad libitum for 14 days. Compared with the control group, the serum cholesterol and triglycerides were 40.4 and 64.7% lower in the group fed HC-SFSH respectively. Low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentration in serum decreased in the HC-SFSH group compared with the HC group. In a histological assay, hepatocytes in the HC group showed that the vacuolated cells by fat appear clear due to the large amount of intracytoplasmic fat, whereas the liver hepatocytes in the group fed SFS effectively decreased fatty liver and intracytoplasmic fats. These results suggest that the extract of salted and fermented shrimp has an antiatherosclerotic effect and may lessen the effects of cardiovascular disease by reducing the cholesterol level in serum.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2005

Objective : The following study was undertaken in order to seek the acupuncture operation method of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun(傷寒論)${\gg}$ Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng(六經辨證). Methods : Based on the documents quoted in ${\ll}$Sang Hang Za Bing Lun Xu Wen(傷寒雜病論)${\gg}$ of "Zhang, Zhong-Jing(張仲景)", the relativity of the theory of Jing-Mai(經脈) and Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng of convalescence, and from the Liu-Jing-Bing(六經病), the origin and implication that caused Tai-Yang-Bing(太陽病) to form was studied on the basis of acupuncture medicine publications and the commentary writing of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$. Results : 1) ${\ll}$Sang Ham Lun${\gg}$ Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng has succeeded and was developed based on Liu-Jing-Fen-Zheng(六經分證) of ${\ll}$Su Wen Re Lun(素問 熱論)${\gg}$. In addition the summary of Liu-Jing-Bing became the general principle of Fen-Jing(分經) and Ding-Zheng(定證) that may be applicable to Fenghan(風寒), Wenre(溫熱), Lili(疫疾) and Zabing(雜病). 2) Most commentators of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$ in the Song, Ming and Ching Dynasties of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$ interpreted the Tai-Yang-Bing in physiological and pathological aspects of Rong-Wei(榮衛) as the disease of the bladder meridian that oversees the skin of the human body. 3) From the Liu-Jing-Bing of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun)${\gg}$, the region of acupuncture treatment of Tai-Yang-Bing is treated with the needle from the point of view of Bing-Zheng-Lun-Zhi(辨證論治) with the basis of the important region of acupuncture of the small intestine meridian bladder meridian and governor vessel.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.187-198
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• 2002

The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of periodontal tissue which has been lost due to destructive periodontal disease. To achieve periodontal regeneration, various kinds of methods have been investigated and developed, including guided tissue regeneration and bone graft. Bone graft can be catagorized into autografts, allografts, xenografts, bone substitutes. And materials of all types have different biological activity and the capacity for periodontal regeneration, but ideal graft material has not been developed that fits all the requirement of ideal bone graft material. Recently, bioactive glass that has been utilized in plastic surgery is being investigated for application in dental practice. But, there has not been any long-term assessment of bioactive glass when used in periodontal intrabony defects. The present study evaluates the long-term effects of bioactive glass on the periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects of human and the effect of plaqu control on long term treatment results after dividing patients into those who underwent 3-month regular check-up and those who didn't under go regular check-up The clinical effect on 74sites from 17 infrabony pockets of 11 patients were analyzed 36months after treatment. 51 sites which underwent regular check up were classified as the Follow-up group(F/U group), and 23 sites which did not undergo regular check up were classified as Non Follow-up group(Non F/U group). After comparing the probing depth, attachment loss, bone probing depth before and 36months after treatment, the following results could be concluded. 1. The changes of probing pocket depth showed a statistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36 months after treatment in F/U group(1.79${\pm}$0.68mm) and did no show astatistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36months after treatment in Non F/U group(0.61${\pm}$0.54mm) (P<0.05). 2. The changes of loss of attachment showed a statistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36 months after treatment in F/U group(1.44${\pm}$0.74mm) and did no show astatistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36months after treatment in Non F/U group(1.18${\pm}$1.54) (P<0.05). 3. The changes of bone probing depth showed a statistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36 months after treatment in both F/U(1.35${\pm}$0.28) and Non F/U group(0.78${\pm}$0.55mm) (P<0.05). The results suggest that treatment of infrabony defects with bioactive glass resulted in significan reduction of attachment loss and bone probing depth 36months after the treatment. The use of bioactive glass in infrabony defects, combined with regular check-up and proper plaque control generally shows favorable clinical results. This measn that bioactive glass could be a useful bone substitute.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.697-704
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• 1998

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by a marked infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchial mucosa. Asthmatic bronchial mucosa produces many factors described as being chemotactic for inflammatory cells. IL-5, RANTES, and MCP-1 alpha are the chemotactic factors for eosinophils, but their roles are controversial. Recently eotaxin that is a potent eosinophil chemoattractant cytokine was detected in a guinea-pig model of allergic airway inflammation, and human eotaxin was cloned. Eotaxin is a specific chemoattractant for eosinophils, but its role in asthma is not confirmed. We examined the in vivo expression of eotaxin in bronchi of asthmatic patients. Methods : 11 asthmatics and 2 normal controls were enrolled. All subjects were underwent bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsies in 2nd or 3rd carina. RNA extraction from biopsy samples was done by acid-guanidium method. Semi-quantitaive RT-PCR was done for evaluation of eotaxin mRNA expression The extent of eosinophil infiltration was evaluated by counting the eosinophils in submucosa in HPF of microscope. Results : Eotaxin mRNA expressed in symptomatic, uncontrolled asthma. Steroid inhibited expression of eotaxin mRNA in asthma. Expression of eotaxin mRNA correlated with eosinophil infiltration in bronchial tissues. Conclusion: Expression of eotaxin mRNA increases in uncontrolled asthma and eotaxin is involved in the recruitment of eosinophils.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 1999

Background: IFN-$\gamma$ plays an important role in host response to intracellular organisms such as mycobacterium. Human infection with mycobacterium leads to a wide variety of outcomes, ranging from asymptomatic infection to widespread and rapidly fatal disease. Recent reports suggest that alteration of the function of IFN-$\gamma$ caused by a defective IFN-$\gamma$ receptor gene can explain different host response to mycobacterium. In this study, we investigated the role of IFN-$\gamma$ in the development of chronic refractory tuberculosis. Methods: The LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ production with or without IFN-$\gamma$ priming was compared by using monocytes taken from recently diagnosed tuberculosis, chronic refractory tuberculosis patients and controls. And the IFN-$\gamma$ receptor was measured by indirect fluorescent antibody technique to know whether change in the priming effect of IFN-$\gamma$ is related to IFN-$\gamma$ receptor deficiency or not. Results: The ratio of TNF-$\alpha$ produced in response to stimulation with INF-$\gamma$ and LPS to LPS alone was $13.5{\pm}7.6$ in controls, $10.8{\pm}6.4$ in recently diagnosed tuberculosis patients and $6.7{\pm}3.9$ in chronic refractory tuberculosis patients. The priming effect of IFN-$\gamma$ significantly decreased in chronic refractory tuberculosis patients compared with that in controls(p=0.002). However, IFN-$\gamma$ receptor deficiency was detected in one of chronic refractory tuberculosis patients. Conclusion: The decrease of the priming effect of IFN-$\gamma$ may play an important role in the development of chronic refractory tuberculosis, and in some patients, this may be related to the IFN-$\gamma$ receptor deficiency.