• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1099-1112
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dyslipidemia causes metabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver syndrome due to abnormally high blood lipids. Purple perilla frutescens extract (PPE) possesses various bioactive compounds such as α-asarone, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid. This study examined whether PPE and α-asarone improved dyslipidemia-associated inflammation and inhibited atheroma formation in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice, an experimental animal model of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: ApoE-deficient mice were fed on high cholesterol-diet (Paigen's diet) and orally administrated with 10-20 mg/kg PPE and α-asarone for 10 wk. RESULTS: The Paigen's diet reduced body weight gain in apoE-deficient mice, which was not restored by PPE or α-asarone. PPE or α-asarone improved the plasma lipid profiles in Paigen's diet-fed apoE-deficient mice, and despite a small increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and very LDL were significantly reduced. Paigen's diet-induced systemic inflammation was reduced in PPE or α-asarone-treated apoE-deficient mice. Supplying PPE or α-asarone to mice lacking apoE suppressed aorta atherogenesis induced by atherogenic diet. PPE or α-asarone diminished aorta accumulation of CD68- and/or F4/80-positive macrophages induced by atherogenic diet in apoE-deficient mice. Treatment of apoE-deficient mice with PPE and α-asarone resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein level and an increase in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase reduced by supply of Paigen's diet. Supplementation of PPE and α-asarone enhanced the transcription of hepatic apoA1 and SR-B1 reduced by Paigen's diet in apoE-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: α-Asarone in PPE inhibited inflammation-associated atheroma formation and promoted hepatic HDL-C trafficking in dyslipidemic mice.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2024

Purpose: We investigated the role of CD8⁺T cells as host immune factors in pediatric patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Methods: Gastric mucosal tissue and blood samples were collected from 39 children, including 11 children with H. pylori infection and 28 children as controls. Anti-CD8 and anti-T-bet antibodies were used for immunohistochemistry of the gastric mucosa. For the cell surface and intracellular staining, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with anti-IL7Rα, anti-CX3CR1, anti-CD8, anti-T-bet, and anti-IFN-γ antibodies. Cytokines of sera such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and CX3CL1 were analyzed using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In the immunohistochemistry of gastric mucosa, the frequency of CD8⁺ and T-bet⁺ T cells cells was higher in the H. pylori-positive group than in the control group (26.9± 7.8% vs. 16.9±3.3%, p<0.001; 5.0±2.5% vs. 2.2±0.7%, p=0.001). Between the control and H. pylori-positive groups, the frequency of IL-7Rα^lowCX3CR1⁺ CD8⁺ and T-bet⁺ INF-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells were not significantly different between surface and intracellular staining, respectively (40.4±24.0% vs. 38.2±17.8%, p=0.914; 40.4±24.0% vs. 38.2±17.8%, p=0.914). In the ELISA, no significant differences in TNF-α and CX3CL1 concentrations were observed between the control and H. pylori-positive groups (34.3±12.1 pg/mL vs. 47.0±22.6 pg/mL, p=0.114/0.5± 0.1 pg/mL vs. 0.5±0.1 pg/mL, p=0.188). Conclusion: CD8⁺ T and Th1 cells, which secrete IFN-γ, might play important roles in the mucosal immunity of the stomach in children with H. pylori infection.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the effects of Hominis placenta (Jahage, J) and wild ginseng (SanSam, S) pharmacopuncture drugs on muscle differentiation and energy metabolism regulation in C2C12 myotubes. Methods: The C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes for 5 days by replacing in medium containing 2% horse serum and then treated with J and S pharmacopuncture extract at different concentrations for 24 hr. The expression of myosin heavy chain and energy metabolism-regulating factors, myosin heavy chain (MHC), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), and proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) were determined in C2C12 myotubes by western blot. Additionally, the phosphorylation of AMPK and the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis, including sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) were determined in the myotubes. Results: As a result, treatment with J and S pharmacopuncture extract at 0.1 and 1 mg/mL increased the MHC expression in C2C12 myotubes compared with non-treated cells, but only S pharmacopuncture was shown a significant and distinct increase in the expression. Expression of TFAM and NRF-1 was also shown significant increases in S and J pharmacopuncture in C2C12 myotubes compared to non-treated cells. The phosphorylation of AMPK and the expression of PGC-1α and SIRT1 showed increased expression in S and J pharmacopuncture compared to non-treated cells. The effect of low-dose of J pharmacopuncture on the phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PGC-1α expression was greater than that of S pharmacopuncture. Conclusions: In conclusion, both J and S pharmacopuncture promote muscle differentiation in C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes and energy metabolism through the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway. This indicates that the pharmacopuncture with tonic herbal medicines can help to improve skeletal muscle function.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.38
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• pp.34-44
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• 1986

In our previous studies, we had clarified many pharmacological effects of majarine: the bacteriostatic effect in vitro; the potentiation of hypnotic action of alcohol; hypotensive effect in rats and hypothermic effect in mice. This study was undertaken to search for a new antihypertensive drug. Red crystalline was obtained from majarine (which was extracted from Berberis koreana Palibin) by chemical methods. And this crystalline was identified as $C_{19}H＿{16}NO＿4$ contained one hydroxy group instead of methoxy group of majarine in isoquinoline ring and named 'Majarol' (5,6-Dihydro-9-hydroxy, 10-methoxybenzo-[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo [5,6-a] quinolizinium). We examined the effects of majarol on blood pressure and heart rate in urethane ancsthetized rats and the rate and amplitude of contraction of isolated frog heart. Several drugs: atropine sulfate, diphenhydramine chloride, hexamethonium bromide, phentolamine, epinephrine, propranolol and isoproterenol were used to clarify the mechanism of the hypotensive action of majarol. The results of experimints were as follows; 1. In low dose (0.5-2mg/kg, i.v.), majarol showed a typical transient hypotensive effect and slight decrease in heart rate. In high dose (5-10 mg/kg, i.v.), majarol showed a typical transient and a subsequent prolonged hypotensive effect and a significant prolonged decrease in heart rate was followed. 2. The hypotensive effects of majarol was not abolished by the pretreatments with atropine sulfate, hexamethonium bromide and diphenhydramine. The pretreatment with phentolamine inhibited significantly the hypotensive effects of majarol and the pretreatment wtih majarol blocked markedly the hypertensive effect of epinephrine. The positive chronotropic effect of isoproterenol was not blocked by the pretreatment with majarol. 3. In low dose, majarol increased the amplitude and decreased rate of contraction, but in high dose, majarol inhibited the amplitude and rate of contraction of isolated frog heart.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.6
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• pp.46-58
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• 1999

The purpose of this research was to find out the state of the nursing performance of the home care nurses in Seoul in order to provide the data for the practical work guide. The data were collected from fifty home care nurses working in 22 institutions located in Seoul. The research tool used for this research was modified and tested by Song Jong-Rye(1999) which was originally modified the standard tool of American Nurses Association (1998) and was partly supplement and adjusted for this research. The reliability of this tool was Cronbach's $\alpha$=.0982. The collected data were statistically processed using SAS for t-test, ANOVA. $Scheff\'{e}$ test. Among the surveyees, 50% have been working as a home care nurse more than three years and 74.0% of them were married. And 52% have B.S degree with certification of home care nurse from the certification program for Home Care Nurses affiliated at nursing schools. Half of the home care nursing organizations were based on the general hospitals, and most(78%) of the responsible senior personnels of those organizations were nurses. The following results are drawn from this research. 1) The level of nursing performance by the task sectors General performance level of home care nurses was relatively high in grade of 3.06 from total 4.00. Among the task sectors. the ethical field scored the highest points, and the next were nursing intervention, professional training, and data gathering, and the research sector scored the lowest point. 2) The level of nursing performance by general features of home care nurses Statistically relevant correlation between performance according to the duration of working experience as a nurse(p=0.8951) and performance according to the duration of working as home care nurse(p=0.2263) did not emerge. Also, performance by marriage status(p=0.2218), education(p=0.5733), and taking the certification program for home card nurse(p =0.1560) has no statistically meaningful correlation. 3) The level of nursing performance by the type of home care nursing organizations There exists a significant difference(p=0.002) between performances by the types of organizations. Most of the responsible senior personnels of the home care nursing organization were nurses. The level of nursing performance of the home care nursing organization under nurse management was relatively higher than that of home care nursing organizations led by medical doctors or non-medical professional, but this was not proved as statistically meaningful(p =0.3617). 4) The level of nursing performance by task sectors according to the characteristic of home care nursing service organization There exists a significant difference between nursing performances by task sectors according to the characteristics of home care nursing organization(p=0.002). In case of model research center of one College of Nursing, the nursing performance in the sectors of organization, theory, and data gathering were lower than that of in hospital based home care nursing service. And in case of local home care centers, performances in sectors of organization, theory, data gathering, nursing intervention. professional training, and research sectors were significantly low. Based on the obtained results, overall performance of home care nurses can be appraised as relatively good. Especially, performances in sectors of the nursing intervention, nursing plan. and data gathering including the in direct nursing were recorded high scores. From this, it can be concluded that high quality of nursing is relatively practicing for home patients at these days. Since the high quality of nursing for patients was directly related to the level of nursing performances of home care nurses, it is required to improve practical performance level of them by making constant evaluation and running continual education program and supplementing curriculum for the sectors with low scores.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2009

Purpose: To assess the value of first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), nuchal translucency (NT) and second-trimester alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin-A in predicting pregnancy complications other than fetal aneuploidy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study in 3,121 singleton pregnancies with integrated testing was performed at Kangnam CHA hospital between January 2005 and December 2006. Baseline characteristics, pregnancy outcomes, and serum marker levels were obtained by review of the medical records. We analyzed the data to identify associations between the integrated screening markers and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS program. Results: In preterm labor and preeclampsia, high AFP, hCG, and inhibin-A levels and low PAPP-A and NT levels were found to be significantly correlated (P<0.05). Elevated second-trimester inhibin-A levels were associated with preeclampsia (odds ratio 2.843), low birth weight (odds ratio 1.446), and preterm labor (odds ratio 1.287), and while decreased first-trimester PAPP-A levels were associated with preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.51) and preterm labor (odds ratio 0.75). Conclusion: First- and second-trimester maternal serum markers screening can be used for predicting high-risk pregnancies.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2002

This study is to reveal the overall level of loneliness, depression and social supports of the elderly in rural area of Korea. The interview survey was performed in February 2001 with structured questionnaires to 486 respondents of 65 years or more of age who lived in Muan-gun area. The questionnaire was the revised translation of Japanese Elderly Study Which was composed of general characteristics, Japanese Loneliness Scale, abridged General Depression Scale(GDS) and Duke University social support Inventory. The following analyses adopted the analysis of covariate, t-test, and Chi- squire were used for some of the cross- sectional analyses. Average age of 486 respondents was 73.9 years old. 58.0% of the respondents noticed their partner or son as the primary consultant for the stressful situation. 56.2% of the respondents experienced the loss of their marital partner, health and/or friends. Average score of loneliness, GDS and social supports of the respondents that was each $35.54{\pm}8.38$, $7.23{\pm}2.21$ and $26.01{\pm}.90$. The overall level of depression seemed to be low as the 'pleasure to be alive' and 'happiness' scored high while the 'state of anger' and 'ominous presentiment' scored low. The level of loneliness and depression was positively correlated while the relationships were negative between loneliness and support and between depression and social support. These results suggested that social and health promotional programmes be necessary for the elderly of rural area. Further research would be required to specify the necessities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2012

I-cell disease (mucolipidosis type II; MIM 252500) and pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy (mucolipidosis type III; MIM 252600) are disorders caused by abnormal lysosomal transport in cells. The presence of numerous inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts, a lack of mucopolysacchariduria, increased lysosomal enzyme activity in serum, and decreased GlcNAc-phosphotransferase activity are hallmark. Here, we attempted to investigate phenotypical and biochemical characteristics of the knockoutmouse of GlcNAc-phosphotransferase ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ subunits; in addition, we also attempted to determine whether the lysosome enriched fraction derived from placenta can be beneficial to phenotype and biochemistry of the knockout mouse.We found that the knockout mouse failed to thrive and had low bone density, as is the case in human. In addition, skin fibroblasts from the animal had the same biochemical characteristics, including increased lysosomal enzyme activity in the culture media, in contrast to the relatively low enzyme activity within the cells. Intravenous injection of the lysosome rich fraction derived from placenta into the tail vein of the animal resulted in a gain of weight, while saline injected animals didn't.In conclusion, our study demonstrated the phenotypical and biochemical similarities of the knockout mouse to a mucolipidosis type II patient and showed the therapeutic potential of the lysosome enriched fraction. We admit that a larger scale animal study will be needed; however, the disease model and the therapeutic potential of the lysosome enriched fraction will highlight the hope for a novel treatment approach to mucopolipidosis type II, for which no therapeutic modality is available.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.350-363
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• 2009

Inter- and intra-specific differences in removal activities, filtering rates (FR) and production of feces-and pseudo-feces (PF) between a native freshwater bivalve in Korea, Anodonta woodiana Lea and Unio douglasiae Griffith et Pidgeon, were compared using a continuous removal of organic matters (CROM) system. The CROM system comprised five steps; input of polluted water, control of water flow, mussel treatment, analysis of water quality and discharge of clean water. The study was designed to compare the removal activity of organic matters between A. woodiana and U. douglasiae, and the intra-specific differences between density and length in A. woordiana. Results clearly indicate that two kinds of mussels had obvious removal activities of seston in the eutrophic reservoir. First, if both are similar in shell length, there were no significant inter-specific differences in removal activity between A. woordiana and U. douglasiae (P>0.5), but FRs of U. douglasiae was relatively high due to low ash-fee dry weight. Second, if both are same in animal density, the smaller mussels (1$\sim$2 years old) showed a higher filtering rate and production of feces- and pseudo-feces and less release of ammonium than the larger mussels. Third, if both are same in biomass, FRs and PF of mussels were higher in the low-density tank than the high-density tank, While the Concentration of $NH_4$-N and $PO_4$-P released WRS similar to each other (P>0.5). Therefore, these results suggest that CROM system using a young bivalve A. woordiana can be applied to control the nuisance seston in eutrophic lake system, if a relevant species and density were selected. Additional pilot tests to optimize the age and density of domestic bivalves were needed for the generalization of CROM operation.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2003

Problem solving ability, having been thought as one of the most important goals of science education is also a primary task for the current education. Indeed, the students' problem solving ability has shown almost no actual progress, despite our long accumulated science education. Under this circumstances, cooperative learning, a way to grow students' positive inter-dependence and problem solving ability in the basis of their active participation and discussion, was proposed as an effective teaching method. But, results have not consistently shown the advantage of cooperative learning over traditional learning for promoting academic achievement in science. Studies have consistently shown greater effectiveness on affective aspects. But, relatively few have focused on biology in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cooperative learning on the achievement and attitude of high school biology students. The pretest-posttest control group design was applied. The sample consisted of 50 11th-grade female students in experimental group(cooperative learning Student Team Achievement Division model) and 50 students in control group(traditional learning). Students in both groups recieved identical content instruction on the unit 'II. Methabolism'. These groups were treated for 13 hours during 5 weeks. Achievement data were collected using a 24-item multiple-choice test(content validity= .85). Science attitude was measured by an instrument which adapted by Kim In Hee(1994). The instrument(Cronbach $\alpha$=.89) included 40 items in four subscales: attitude toward science, social meaning of science, attitude toward science class, and scientific attitude. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used as the data analysis procedure. For the achievement data, no significant difference exists between the cooperative and traditional groups (p> .05). But, cooperative learning was effective in low-ability students(p < .05). For the science learning attitude data, cooperative learning was more effective than the traditional one(p< .05). Students in the cooperative group acheived better than those in traditional one especially in the subscale of attitude toward science class. There was no meaningful difference of the two methods in both high and average ability students, while cooperative learning was more effective than the traditional one in low ability students(p<.05).