• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.71-85
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• 2005

As a long-term goal for the development of new prescriptions for hyperlipidemia, IJWRT was examined in the present study using a rat model in which the hyperlipidemia was induced. The major parameters related to lipid metabolism were investigated and the key findings are summarized below. IJWRT didn't show the cytotoxicity on Human Fibroblast Cells(hFCs). The body weight of hyperlipidemia-induced rats began to show lower body weight beginning one week after IJWRT treatment compared to non-treated control group animals. Cholesterol levels showed a significant decrease beginning three weeks after IJWRT treatment, compared to hyperlipidemia-induced control group. Total cholesterol levels in IJWRT treated animal group were significantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. Glucose levels in IJWRT treated animal group were significantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. Triglyceride levels in IJWRT treated animal group were significantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. SGOT levels in IJWRT treated animal group were insignificantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group whereas there was significant change in SGPT levels. HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in IJWRT treated animal group compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in IJWRT treated animal group compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.618-623
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• 2014

Sarijang, a soy sauce made from fermented black soybean (Rhynchosia nulubilis), sulfur fed duck, dried bark of Ulmus davidiana, Allium sativum, and bamboo salt, has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. However, the antioxidant properties of Sarijang have not yet been elucidated. In this study, the antioxidant effects of Sarijang were investigated by determining total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH RSA), total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and cellular antioxidant capacity (CAC). The inhibitory effects of Sarijang on oxidative stress-induced DNA damage (200 ${\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$, 250 ${\mu}M$ Fe-NTA, and 200 ${\mu}M$ HNE) in human leukocytes were evaluated by comet assay. The TPC of Sarijang was $1.04{\pm}0.01$ mg GAE/mL. DPPH RSA, TRAP, and ORAC values of Sarijang increased in a dose-dependent manner. The $IC_{50}$ for DPPH RSA of Sarijang was $11.2{\pm}0.3$ mg/mL, whereas $IC_{50}$ of TRAP was $209.5{\pm}2.0$ mg/mL. 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress and oxidative stress-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells were effectively abrogated by all tested concentrations of Sarijang (1~100 ${\mu}g/mL$). These results suggest that Sarijang has antioxidative activity and protective effects against oxidative DNA damage.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.19-26
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• 2013

This paper propose a surface EMG signal based gait phase recognition method that selects features and channels adaptively. The proposed method can be used to control powered artificial prosthetic for lower limb amputees and can reduce overhead in real-time pattern recognition by selecting adaptive channels and features in an embedded device. The method can enhance the classification accuracy by adaptively selecting channels and features based on sensitivity and specificity of each subject because EMG signal patterns may vary according to subject's locomotion convention. In the experiments, we found that the muscles with highest recognition rate are different between human subjects. The results also show that the average accuracy of the proposed method is about 91% whereas those of existing methods using all channels and/or features is about 50%. Therefore we assure that sEMG signal based gait phase recognition using small number of adaptive muscles and corresponding features can be applied to control powered artificial prosthetic for lower limb amputees.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.189-230
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• 2020

The metabolic syndrome, by definition, is not a disease but is a clustering of individual metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These risk factors could dramatically increase the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The reported prevalence of the metabolic syndrome varies, greatly depending on the definition used, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and the ethnic background of study cohorts. Clinical and epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated that the metabolic syndrome starts with central obesity. Because the prevalence of obesity has doubly increased worldwide over the past 30 years, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has markedly boosted in parallel. Therefore, obesity has been recognized as the leading cause for the metabolic syndrome since it is strongly associated with all metabolic risk factors. High prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is not unique to the USA and Europe and it is also increasing in most Asian countries. Insulin resistance has elucidated most, if not all, of the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome because it contributes to hyperglycemia. Furthermore, a major contributor to the development of insulin resistance is an overabundance of circulating fatty acids. Plasma fatty acids are derived mainly from the triglycerides stored in adipose tissues, which are released through the action of the cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme, hormone sensitive lipase. This review summarizes the latest concepts in the definition, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, as well as its preventive measures and therapeutic strategies in children and adolescents.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.24.1-24.12
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of newly proposed root-end filling materials, Biodentine, Micro-Mega mineral trioxide aggregate (MM-MTA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, and Smart Dentin Replacement (SDR), in comparison with contemporary root-end filling materials, intermediate restorative material (IRM), Dyract compomer, ProRoot MTA (PMTA), and Vitrebond, using human periodontal ligament (hPDL) fibroblasts. Materials and Methods: Ten discs from each material were fabricated in sterile Teflon molds and 24-hour eluates were obtained from each root-end filling material in cell culture media after 1- or 3-day setting. hPDL fibroblasts were plated at a density of $5{\times}10^3/well$, and were incubated for 24 hours with 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8 dilutions of eluates. Cell viability was evaluated by XTT assay. Data was statistically analysed. Apoptotic/necrotic activity of PDL cells exposed to material eluates was established by flow cytometry. Results: The Vitrebond and IRM were significantly more cytotoxic than the other root-end filling materials (p < 0.05). Those cells exposed to the Biodentine and Dyract compomer eluates showed the highest survival rates (p < 0.05), while the PMTA, MM-MTA, SDR, and PMMA groups exhibited similar cell viabilities. Three-day samples were more cytotoxic than 1-day samples (p < 0.05). Eluates from the cements at 1:1 dilution were significantly more cytotoxic (p < 0.05). Vitrebond induced cell necrosis as indicated by flow cytometry. Conclusions: This in vitro study demonstrated that Biodentine and Compomer were more biocompatible than the other root-end filling materials. Vitrebond eluate caused necrotic cell death.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1130-1136
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• 2017

Traditionally, the larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma (AD), a species of the rhinoceros beetle, have been widely used for their antidiabetic, antihepatofibrotic, antineoplastic, and antiobesity effects. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization has reported on the possibility of using edible insects in human dietary supplements in the future. However, despite the growing interest in insect-based bio-active products, the biological activities of these products have rarely been studied. Previously, we reported that AD larvae inhibit the in vitro differentiation of adipocytes via transcription factor downregulation. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the effects of a hot-water extract of AD larvae on allergy and inflammation. To investigate the inhibitory effect of the extract on allergic reactions, we measured the levels of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) after activation of RBL-2H3 cells using Compound 48/80. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the extract on inflammation was determined using Raw 264.7 cells after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The extract significantly inhibited the ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, and COX-2 levels in RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it effectively inhibited the inflammatory cytokine IL-6, nitric oxide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. These results suggest that AD larval extract can be potentially developed as an antiallergic and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.289-293
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• 2004

To investigate whether VacA (vacuolating toxin) produced by Helicobacter pylori Korean stain 99 induces intestinal secretion, purified VacA was added to T84 cell monolayers mounted in Ussing chambers, and electrical parameters were monitored. Mucosal addition of low pH-pretreated VacA increased short circuit current (Isc). The effect was time- and dose-dependent and saturable. The time-to-peak Isc was concentration-dependent. Chloride channel inhibitors, niflumic acid or 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), inhibited VacA-stimulated Isc. Carbachol (CCh)-induced increase of Isc was prolonged by the addition of VacA to the mucosal side only. The effect was unaltered by the addition of niflumic acid. VacA did not show cytopathic effects. These studies indicate that VacA is a nonlethal toxin that acts in a polar manner on T84 monolayers to potentiate $Cl^-$ secretion and the response to CCh secretion without decrease in monolayer resistance. VacA may contribute to diarrhea diseases in human intestinal epithelial cells.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.101-111
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• 1994

This study deals with the degree of enclosure on the Court Space in 'Suh-Won' that has warious perceptual composition elements. 1. The size of Court Space in which we can read the complexion of others and easily understand every behavior of them is similar to that of the 'Madang' in the Korean traditional houses. 2. The angles of elevation are within the range of suitable enclosure as going from the center of the court Space to 'Kang-Dang' and the space -from the center of the Court Space to 'Kang-Dang'- is restricted and surrounded. It is also within the range of the least enclosure as going from the center of the Court Space to the 'Mun-Ru'. 3. The degrees of enclosure based on the horizontal angle are within the degree we can perceive the objects of structure easily. 4. The degree of enclosure based on the ratio D/H is increased as approaching from 'Mun-Ru' to 'Kang-Dang'. The distance as approaching from 'Mun-Ru' to 'Kang-Dang' is changed from social distance to personal distance. To conclude this the Court Space in 'Suh-Won' represents the hierarchical system with variety and the degree of enclosure and the size of space are within the range of human scale.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.397-404
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• 2022

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is more attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients than normal. Hypoxic-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is highly expressed in tumors to maintain their metabolism in a hypoxic environment. The expression of HIF-1α in cancers can lead to cell growth, proliferation, invasion/metastasis and immune escape. Although apigenin, a flavonoid, is known to have various biological activities, it has not been demonstrated in NK cell immune activity in HCC cells. In this study, NK-92 cells were directly cocultured with HCC SK-Hep1 cells for 24 h to evaluate NK cell activity in HCC cells or HCC cells expressing HIF-1α by apigenin. NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells expressing HIF-1α was significantly increased, and NK cell-activating receptors, NKG2D, NKp30 and NKp44 were highly expressed. The activating effect of apigenin on NK cells substantially induced apoptosis in HCC cells expressing HIF-1α through high expression of CD95L on the surface of NK-92 cells. Moreover, apigenin excellently inhibited the level of TGF-β1 in a coculture of NK cells and HCC cells. In conclusion, apigenin seems to be a good compound that increases NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells by controlling HIF-1α expression.