• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.551-560
• /
• 2015

Here we report the protective activity of cultured Acer tegmentosum cell extract against liver damage in rat intentionally instigated by D-galactosamine. Local fat degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly decreased in cultured A. tegmentosum cell extract administered rat. In addition, acutely increased AST, ALT, LDH, ALP activities and lipid peroxidation and lipid content by liver damage were recovered in experimental rat administrated with A. tegmentosum extract. These results showed that cultured A. tegmentosum cell extract has a role in blood enzyme activation and lipid content restoration within damaged rat liver tissues. Moreover expression rate of TNF-α which accelerates inflammation and induces tissue damage and necrosis was significantly decreased. Also activities of antioxidant enzymes were more effectively upregulated comparing to those of the control group induced hepatotoxicity. All data that cultured A. tegmentosum cell extract has a preventive role against liver damages such as inflammation, tissue necrosis in rats by improving activities of blood enzymes, antioxidant enzymes and modulating expression of inflammation factor, suggest that cultured Acer tegmentosum cell extract is an effective medicinal resource for restoration of hepatotoxicity.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.10 no.12
• /
• pp.190-204
• /
• 2010

This study firstly examined the socioeconomic and health factors associated with infiltration of private health insurance. Secondly, we compared health behavior, outpatient and inpatient use of private health insured with uninsured. The method of this study is that secondary analysis of the 2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted for 7178 respondents aged 19 over. We use the logistic regression and t-test for data analysis. The first dependent variable was dichotomy which is divided to private health insured or uninsured and the second dependent variable was the presence and frequency of outpatient and inpatient use. The descriptive variables was gender, age, marital status, income, education, occupation, type of national health insurance, residential area, self confidence of health, prevalence rate of common disease, activity limitation, drinking and smoking status. The result of the major findings are as follows. First, 59 under aged person, married person, people in the higher brackets of income, national employee insured were more likely to infiltrate private health insurance. The poor self confidence of health, activity limitation, person with hypertension or allergic rhinitis and smoker were negatively related in infiltrating private health insurance. Second, private health insured did more preventive behavior such as self-paid health examination, cancer screening, regular exercise than uninsured. Third, private health insured was positively related with the presence of outpatient use and frequency of inpatient use

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.323-328
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are multipotent cells that have been found to promote wound healing through the process of angiogenesis and reepithelialization. Generally, it is well known that the antigenicity of ADSCs doesn't affect stem cell therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of allogeneic ADSCs in the wound healing process by applying allogeneic ADSCs on the wound healing splint model of mice. Methods: Adipose tissue was harvested from the epididymal fat pads of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Twenty four mice BALB/c were divided into three groups; control, isogeneic, and allogeneic groups. Two full thickness defects with 6 mm diameters were created on the back of BALB/c mice. $1{\times}10^6$ ADSCs from BALB/c mice were applied on the isogeneic group. In the allogeneic group, ADSCs from the C57BL/6 mice were applied. No cells were applied to the control group. The sizes of the wounds were evaluated in 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after the wounds were applied, and tissues were harvested in 7 and 14 days for histological analysis. Results: Wound healing rates had showed significant increase in 10, and 14 days when the isogeneic group was compared to the control group, but the allogeneic group showed significantly decrease compared to the isogeneic group (p<0.05). Histological scores in the isogeneic group were significantly high, but significantly lower in the allogeneic group when compared to the isogeneic group in 2 weeks (p<0.05). In the isogeneic group, thick inflammatory cell infiltration with abundant capillaries were observed in 1 week, and thick epithelium with many large capillaries were observed in 2 weeks. Conclusion: When isogeneic ADSCs were applied to wounds, they presented a faster wound healing rate compared to controls and the allogeneic group. Unlike general stem cell therapy, these findings suggest that cell therapy targeted at enhancing wound healing may benefit from the use of ADSCs with identical antigenicity, as opposed to allogeneic or xenogenic ADSCs.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.52-56
• /
• 2007

Marjolin's ulcer is a rare and often-aggressive cutaneous malignancy that arises in previously traumatized or chronically inflamed skin, particularly after burns. We experienced two cases after burns. Case I involved a forty eight year-old man who had suffered from a flame burn at the parietal scalp area, where had been initially described three years earlier as a full-thickness wound including the pericranium. The man consulted us for a persistent ulcerative and infected wound on the burned lesion during the last 24 months, which turned out on the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be the squamous cell carcinoma with involving the skull and the dura mater. Although the posterior auricular lymph node was enlarged on the ipsilateral side, recent positron emission tomography (PET) CT did not show any metastatic lesion. It was impossible for us to resect the intracranial involvement of the tumor radically, and the postoperative PET CT still showed a focal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake around the wall of the superior sagittal sinus. We think that an aggressive combined approach is essential for treatment in early stages for a high success rate, before the intracranial structures are involved because there is no consensus on the treatment for advanced disease, and the results are generally poor. Case 1 also did not involve a radical resection because of the intracranial invasion to the wall of superior sagittal sinus and the possibility of damage to the major cortical veins. He received adjuvant radiotherapy and must be followed periodically. Case 2 involved an eighty six year-old women who suffered from a painful scalp ulcer lesion after flame burns three years earlier. Unlike case 1, neither tumor infiltration into the dura nor lymph node enlargement was observed on the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) CT. We did a radical resection of the tumor, including the involved bone, and a cranioplasty with bone cement.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 2005

Riverbank filtration has been used in advanced countries for 150 years. In Korea, investigations for producing riverbank filtrate started in the Han River, Nakdong River, Geum River, Yeongsan River and Seomjin River basins in the 1990s. The lower part of the Nakdong River has a poorer water quality than the upper part of the river. A water balance analysis and groundwater flow modeling were conducted for the riverbanks of the Nakdong River in Daesan-Myeon, Changwon City. The results of the water balance analysis revealed the groundwater infiltration rate into the aquifer to be 245.26 mm/year (19.68% of the average annual precipitation, 1,251.32 mm). Direct runoff accounts for 153.49 mm/year, evapotranspiration is 723.95 mm/year and baseflow is 127.63 mm/year. According to the groundwater flow modeling, 65% of the total inflow to the pumping wells originates from the Nakdong River, 13% originates from the aquifer in the rectilinear direction, and 22% originates from the aquifer in the parallel direction. The particle tracking model shows that a particle moving from the river toward the pumping wells travels 100 m in 50 days and a particle from the aquifer toward the pumping wells travels 100 m in 100 days.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.662-669
• /
• 2017

This study evaluated the ecotoxicological properties of livestock waste water treated by a LID (Low Impact Development) system, using a mixture of bio-reeds and bio-ceramics as suitable bed media for a subsequent treatment process of a livestock wastewater treatment plant. The relationship between the pollutant reduction rate and the ecotoxicity was analyzed with the effluents from the inlet pilot plant, with vegetated swale and wetlands and the batch type of an infiltration trench. Each pilot plant consisted of a bio process using bio-reeds and bio-ceramics as bed media, as well as a general process using general reeds and a bed as a control group. The results indicated that, after applying the HRT 24 hour LID method, the ecotoxicity was considerably lowered and the batch type pilot plant was shown to be effective for toxicity reduction. The LID method is expected to be effective for water quality management, considering ecotoxicity by not only as a nonpoint source pollution abatement facility but also, as a subsequent treatment process linked with a livestock manure purification facility. It is necessary to take the LID technic optimization study further to apply it as a subsequent process for livestock wastewater treatment.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.215-224
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by typically distributed eczematous skin lesion with pruritus, lichenification and dry skin. In this study, we performed to assess the therapeutic effects of co-treatment of Chenilyeomgamibang (CGB) and Chenggihaedok-san (CHS, C&C) on the TNCB(trinitrochlorobenzene)-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, characterized by the onset of atopic dermatitis along with an increase the number of inflammatory cells and dysregulation of Th2 cytokines. Methods : Defined amount of CGB was sprayed on mice skin and CHS was simultaneously orally administrated to TNCB treated NC/Nga mice for 5 weeks. The immune cell types were caracterized by flow cytometry using each specific antibody. The amount of Th2 cytokines in serum and splenocytes culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. Results : Administration of C&C significantly reduced clinical dermatitis severity including pruritus, edema, eczematous and erythema. Histological findings indicated that the thickening of epidermis/dermis and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells were dramatically reduced. Flow cytometry analysis showed that infiltrated immune cell numbers of CCR3+, B220+/IgE+, Gr-1+/CD11b+, and CD117+ were significantly reduced in C&C-treated dorsal skin lesion. Furthermore, T cell composition rate in PBMC was also dramatically decreased by the treatment. C&C greatly down-regulated production of Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the serum. The down- regulatory effects of C&C on these Th2 cytokines production were also detected in CD3/ CD28 activated splenocytes. Conclusions : These results indicated that C&C is a plausible therapeutic agent for treatment of atopic dermatitis through regulating the Th2 skewed immune system.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.139-147
• /
• 2001

Objectives: The most important differential point of follicular carcinoma from adenoma is capsular invasion or angioinvasion of follicular cells. Serial sections for examination of levels of tumor margins are necessary to watch the invasion. However, the interpretation of capsular invasion or angioinvasion is sometimes not feasible on the routine staining of tumor tissue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of expressions of $p27^{KIP1}$, MIB-1, bcl-2 and p53 in differential diagnosis of follicular adenoma and carcinoma. Materials and Methods: 16 cases of follicular carcinoma and 26 cases of follicular adenoma were entered on study of immunohistochemical stains for $p27^{KIP1}$, MIB-1, bcl-2 and p53. In carcinoma cases, correlation between the above markers, patient's age, tumor size, infiltration pattern and metastasis was studied. Results: $p27^{KIP1}$ labelling index (LI) of follicular carcinoma and adenoma was $4.89{\pm}6.92$ and $14.52{\pm}9.17$, respectively, but there was no significant difference between adenoma and carcinoma (p=0.2560). MIB-1 LI of carcinoma and adenoma was $4.11{\pm}3.89$ and $0.80{\pm}0.75$, respectively, and MIB-1 LI was significantly higher in carcinoma (p=0.0000). bcl-2 expression was seen in 2(12.5%) of 16 carcinoma cases and 130(50.0%) of 26 adenoma cases, and bcl-2 expression rate was higher in adenoma than in carcinoma(p=0.014). In one adenoma and one carcinoma case, p53 expression was noted. In follicular adenoma with atypia compared to adenoma without atypia, lower $p27^{KIP1}$ LI, higher MIB-1 LI and lower bcl-2 expression rate were seen. In follicular carcinoma, MIB-1 LI was significantly higher in invasive carcinoma(p=0.045) and was relatively increased in tumors larger than 3.0cm, showing angioinvasion and distant metastasis. But $p27^{KIP1}$ LI was higher in cases over 40 years old(p=0.008) and with conspicuous capsular invasion. There were no positive correlations between expressions of MIB-1, bcl-2 and p53. Conclusion: MIB-1 labelling index and bcl-2 expression could be helpful for differential diagnosis of follicular adenoma and carcinoma, but p53 showed very low expression rate and no significance in differential diagnosis. $p27^{KIP1}$ labelling index reveals decreasing tendency in carcinoma compared with adenoma, MIB-1 LI was considered as a poor prognostic marker in follicular carcinoma, but $p27^{KIP1}$ LI was higher in carcinoma cases over 40 years old with showing conspicuous capsular invasion. Further study for the significance of $p27^{KIP1}$ labelling index in follicular neoplasms is necessary to evaluate diagnostic value of follicular carcinoma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.6
• /
• pp.506-515
• /
• 2007

Background: Nosocomial pneumonia in an intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with a high mortality rate. Diagnosing a respiratory tract infection in critically ill patients is still difficult but detailed information for the pathogens is needed to establish an adequate antimicrobial treatment. This study examined the causative organisms and their antimicrobial resistance using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from patients suspected of having pneumonia in the ICU. Methods: From January 2004 to June 2006, ICU patients with diffuse lung infiltration were prospectively enrolled. The BAL was used to diagnose the respiratory infection, with 104 > or = organisms considered a positive result. The most common organisms and their antimicrobial resistances were analyzed from the quantitative BAL cultures in the burn ICU and non-burn ICU. Results: A total 72 patients were included, 35 (M 29, F 6) in the burn ICU and 37 (M 26, F 11) in the non-burn ICU. 27 patients (77.1%) in the burn ICU and 22 patients (59.5%) in the non-burn ICU met the criteria for a positive BAL culture. The major pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All strains (100%) of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from BAL (9 cases) were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in the burn ICU, but 5 strains (71.4%, 7 cases) were MRSA in the non-burn ICU. Regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the rate of resistance to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefepime, imipenem, ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam in the burn and non-burn ICU ranged from 45.5% to 90% and 25% to 50%, respectively. In addition, the rate of resistance of Acinetobacter species to the above drugs in the burn and non-burn ICU ranged from 81.8% to 100% and 62.5% to 100%, respectively. Conclusions: These results are expected to provide useful guidelines for choosing the effective empirical antimicrobial therapy in patients with lung infiltrations in the burn and non-burn ICU.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 1999

Purpose : Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia has been to be developed frequently in school age children and adolescence and hard to see under 3 year-old children. But it seems to be increased in number of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia under 3-year old in clinical practice in these days. We have aimed to examine the characteristics of clinical findings of Mycoplasma pneumonia under 3 year-old children. Methods : We had performed retrospective review of medical records of 30 patients with Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3-year old children who admitted to Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee University Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997. The diagnostic criteriae was Cold agglutinin titer>1:64 or Mycoplasma antibody titer>1:80. Results : Mycoplasmal pneumonia was 30 out of 235 cases(12.7%) of total pneumonia under 3 year old children. Male female ratio was 1.3 : 1 and age distributions were 0~1y : 0, 1~2y : 8, 2~3y : 22 cases. Clinical symptoms and signs were cough(100.0%), sputum(83.3%), fever(80.0%) rhinorrhea(33.3%), vomiting(33.3%), moist rale(86.7%), decreased breathing sound(26.7%), wheezing(20.0%), and pharyngeal injection(30.0%). Thirteen out of 30 cases(43.3%) had unilateral infiltration, 10 cases(33.4%) had bilateral infiltration, 1 case(3.3%) had pleural effusion, and 6 cases(20.0%) had negative findings on chest radiography and there was no cases of atelectasis. On laboratory findings, 6 out of 30 cases(20.0%) had leukocytosis, 1 case(3.3%) had neutrophilia, 10 cases(30.0%) had eosinophilia, 17 cases(56.7%) had increased ESR, and 18 cases(60.6%) had positive CRP. Positive cold agglutinin titers(>1 : 64) were 19 cases(63.3%), and positive mycoplasma antibody(M-ab) titers(>1 : 80) were 27 cases(93.3%). Mycoplasma antibody test was more valuable than cold agglutinin test for the diagnosis of Mycoplasmal pneumonia and there was no correlation between cold agglutinin titer and mycoplasma antibody titer. Mycoplasma-polymerase chain reaction(M-PCR) was done with 13 cases, 12 out of 13 cases(92.3%) were positive. M-PCR test was valuable to the diagnosis of Mycoplasmal pneumonia but it will be needed to further study for their clinical application. Among 30 cases, 5 cases(16.7%) had complications, 3 cases(10.0%) had skin rash, 1 case(3.3%) had pleural effusion, 1 case(3.3%) had arthralgia, but all complications were mild and recovered without residual sequelae. Conclusion : The occurrence of Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3 year-old children was not rare from this study. Clinical characteristics of Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3-year old were normal radiologic findings in many cases, low complication rate, mild clinical course, and tend to rapid recovery compared with general manifestations of Mycoplasmal infectionsin children and adolescence. There were likely to be missed patients with Mycoplasmal pneumonia which did not diagnose by conventional serologic tests that had low sensitivity and specificity. We have to pay attention to the Mycoplasmal infection of the young children with pneumonia during epidemic periods of Mycoplasmal infection.