• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2005

Objects:Some studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), one of the most important neurotrophins, is involved in pathophysiology of depression and suicide. This study was performed to determine whether there is an abnormality in plasma BDNF concentration in suicidal attempters. Methods:The subjects were 71 suicidal attempters who visited emergency rooms in multi-medical centers. All subjects had been interviewed by using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV(SCID), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale(YMRS), and Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). The severity of the suicidal behavior was measured by Lethality of Suicide Attempt Rating Scale(LSARS) and Risk-Rescue Rating(RRR) system. Seventy-one age, sex, and diagnosis matched non-suicidal psychiatric patients who were consecutively admitted to a psychiatric ward during the same period recruited as psychiatric controls. They were drug-naive or drug-free at least more than 2 months. In addition, 80 healthy controls were randomly selected as normal controls. Plasma BDNF level was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) methods. Results:In overall F-test, differences of the plasma BDNF levels among the groups were statistically significant(F=20.226, p<0.001). In the multiple comparisons(Scheffe), while mean levels of plasma BDNF between normal controls and non-suicidal psychiatric patients were similar(p=0.984), the BDNF levels of suicidal attempters were lower than those of other two groups(p<0.001). LSARS and RRR did not reveal any significant correlations with BDNF levels in suicidal attempters. Conclusion:These results suggest that reduction of plasma BDNF level is related to suicidal behavior and BDNF level may be a biological marker of suicidal behavior.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.741-755
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• 1999

As a material of metal-ceramic prosthesis, nickel as a form of Ni-Cr alloy has been used for many dental prostheses in many cases. However, several problems in use of the alloy have been revealed (ex : tissue stimulation, skin allergy, hypersensitivity, cytotoxicity and carcinogenecity). Little is known about nickel with respect to the relationship between Ni-prosthesis and gaining of Ni-resistance in oral microorganisms. The present study was undertaken to check wheather use of Ni-prosthesis leads to occurrence of Ni-resistant microorganisms. So this study may suggest the possible relationships between the oral microorganisms and nickel-resistance in oral environment. Bacteria were isolated from the gingival crevicular fluid on the pateints wearing Ni-Cr prosthesis. The isolated bacteria were tested for their Ni-resistance in nickel containing media at different concentration from 3mM to 110mM. E. coli HB101 was used as control. The Ni-resistant bacteria were isolated and biochemically identified. The Ni-resistant bacteria were tested several bio-chemical, molecular-biological tests. Performed tests were ; measuring the growth curve, antibiotic test, growth ability test in liquid media, isolation of the chromosome and plasmid, digestion of DNA by restriction enzyme, electrophoresis of chromosome and plasmid DNA, identification of Ni-resistant genes by the DNA hybridization. The results were as follows: 1) The bacteria isolated from gingival crevicular fluid on the patients wearing Ni-Cr alloy pros-thesis showed nickel-resistance. 2) The isolated microorganisms grew at nickel containing media of high concentrations (60mM-110mM). 3) Based on the biochemical tests, the isolated microorganisms were identified as Enterococcus faecalis(13 cases), Klebsiella pneumoniae(1 case) and Enterobacter gergeviae(1 case). 4) Enterococcus faecalis expressed not only nickel resistance but also the multi-drug resistance to several antibiotics ; chloramphenicol, kanamicin, streptomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin. However, all strain showed the sensitivity against the tetracycline. 5) DNA hybridization result suggest that there is no homology between the previousely known gene of nickel resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and chromosomal DNA of Enterococcus faecalis.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.223-234
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate intake of health foods and supplements and its associated factors in middle and old-aged adults in order to contribute to health promotion of Korean population by providing a guide for proper use of health foods and supplements. About 69% of the subjects reported that they were currently taking health foods and supplements or had experiences of having them in the past, whereas 31.2 % reported they had never taken them. The most commonly used type of health foods and supplements was vitamin C as reported by 41.8% followed by others such as lactobacillus products, multi-vitamins, tonic medicine and cardiotonic drug, artificially processed Ginseng foods, vitamin B complex, enzyme supplement, calcium, aloe, apricot extract products, chitosan products, loyal honey, squalene, refined fish oil and iron products. The major reason for taking health foods and supplements was 'to protect the weak constitution' with 155 (42.1%) responses, and the motive for the intake was the suggestion from family-relatives with 235 (63.9%) responses, and the place of purchase was pharmacy with 140 (38.0%) responses, the average monthly expense was 20,000-40,000 won with 140 (26.2%) responses, and effects after the intake was 'so and so' with 180 (33.6%) responses as the highest. More health foods and supplements were consumed as age and education were statistically significantly increased (p<0.05). For health and lifestyle and the intake of health foods and supplements, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and the presence of health management were statistically significant (p<0.05). Male subjects than female subjects and the 30s than the 405 and 50s were appeared to have poorer dietary behaviors (p<0.05). For the health locus of control and the intake of health foods and supplements, the health locus of control score was 22.82 for consumers and 22.79 for non-consumers, showing no significant difference. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out major factors that affect the intake of health foods and supplements, in which gender, education, smoking, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and health management were significant to the intake of health foods and supplements. It is shown that subjects with perception and attitude of 'health foods and supplements are useful in health maintenance and disease prevention' and 'the information and variety for health foods and supplements are great' have higher probability of taking health foods and supplements.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.809-817
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• 2009

The phenotypes associated with a gene function are often the best clue to its role in the plant. Transgenic plants ectopically expressing or suppressing a gene can provide useful information related to the gene function. In this study, we constructed three vectors - pFGL571, pFGL846 and pFGL847 - for the Agrobacterium-mediated ectopic expression of plant genes using pPZP211 and modified CaMV 35S, UBQ3 or UBQ10 promoters. The three vectors have several merits such as small size, high copy in bacteria, enough restriction enzyme sites in multi cloning sites and nucleotide sequence information. Analysis of transgenic plants containing GUS or sGFP reporter genes under the control of modified CaMV 35S, UBQ3 or UBQI0 promoter revealed that all of the three promoters showed high activities during most developmental stages after germination and in floral organs. Furthermore, we generated a RNAi module vector, pFGL727, to suppress plant gene expressions and confirmed that pFGL727 is useful for the suppression of a gene expression using rice transgenic plants. Taken together, our new vectors would be very useful for the ectopic expression or the suppression of plant genes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1064-1072
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• 2013

Circadian rhythm is controlled by hormonal oscillations governing the physiology of all living organisms. In mammals, the main function of the pineal gland is to transform the circadian rhythm generated in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus into rhythmic signals of circulating melatonin characterized by a largely nocturnal increase that closely reflects the duration of night time. The pineal gland has lost direct photosensitivity, but responds to light via multi-synaptic pathways that include a subset of retinal ganglion cells. Rhythmic control is achieved through a tight coupling between environmental lighting and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) expression, which is the rhythm-controlling enzyme in melatonin synthesis. Previous studies on the nocturnal expression of AANAT protein have described transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. Molecular mechanisms for dependent AANAT expression provide novel aspects for melatonin's circadian rhythmicity. Extensive animal research has linked pineal melatonin for the expression of seasonal rhythmicity in many mammalian species to the modulation of circadian rhythms and to sleep regulation. It has value in treating various circadian rhythm disorders, such as jet lag or shift-work sleep disorders. Melatonin, also, in a broad range of effects with a significant regulation influences many of the body's physiological functions. In addition, this hormone is known to influence reproductive, cardiovascular, and immunological regulation as well as psychiatric disorders.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.264-269
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• 2008

To develop an amylolytic industrial yeast strain producing $\beta$-amylase, the BAMY gene encoding Achlya bisexualis $\beta$-amylase was constitutively expressed under the control of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene promoter (ADC1p) in an industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast transformation was carried out by an integration system containing $\delta$-sequences as the recombination site. The integrative cassette devoid of bacterial DNA sequences was constructed that contains the BAMY gene and $\delta$-sequences. Industrial S. cerevisiae transformed with this integrative cassette secreted 45 kDa $\beta$-amylase into the culture medium. The $\beta$-amylase activity of the transformant was approximately 18.5-times higher than that of A. bisexualis. The multi-integrated BAMY genes in the transform ant were stable after 100 generations of growth in nonselective medium. Hydrolysis of soluble starch and various starches with the enzyme released maltose but not glucose or oligosaccharides.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.140-146
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• 2015

The increase in resistance by pathogenic bacteria to multiple antimicrobial agents has become a significant treat, as the effective antimicrobial agents available for the patients infected by such resistant bacteria are reduced, or even eliminated. Several natural plant extracts have exhibited antibacterial and synergistic activity against various resistant microorganisms. Houttuynia cordata is frequently used by many traditional medicine practicioners for its antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the antibacterial effects of H. cordata extract against clinical multi-resistant bacteria, and compared the two methods used for the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Thirty isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, 10), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE, 10), Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB, 10) were included in this study. The antibacterial effect of H. cordata was tested by disk diffusion and microbroth dilution methods as per CLSI guidelines. In disk diffusion, all isolates (30) showed no inhibition to 30,000 ug/mL of H. cordata. But in the microbroth dilution method, $MIC_{90}$ of H. cordata was 4,096 ug/mL, 8,192 ug/mL and 4,096 ug/mL in MRSA, VRE and CRAB, respectively. These results demonstrate that H. cordata exhibits antibacterial activity against MRSA, VRE and CRAB. Moreover, the microbroth dilution method is a more effective method than disk diffusion to evaluate the antibacterial activity of natural products. The Disk diffusion method used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of natural products required new standard guidelines including inoculum concentration of bacteria.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.96-107
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• 2004

1. Objectives This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gunyuljejo-tang on the $CCl_4$-induced Liver Damage in Rats. 2. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were devided into 5 experimental groups : Normal, $NS+CCl_4$(Solid extract of $CCl_4$ injection group after Normal Saline feed), $GYJJT+CCl_4$(Solid extract of $CCl_4$ injection group after Gunyuljejo-tang feed), $CCl_4+NS$(Normal Saline feed group after $CCl_4$ injection), $CCl_4+GYJJT$(Solid extract of Gunyuljejo-tang feed group after $CCl_4$ injection). Biochemical assays for serum enzyme activities such as AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Creatinine, Uric Acid, Total Protein, Albumin, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Glucose, and mRNA Revelation of Cytochrome p450 and activities such as LPO, GSH, GST, Glutathione Reductase, Glutathione Peroxidase, SOD, Catalase, Hydroxyproline, and ${\beta}$-Glucuronidase were performed. 3. Results (1) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed lower revelation of Cytochrome p450. (2) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher GSH activity than $NS+CCl_4$, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher GSH activity than $CCl_4+NS$ injection significantly. (3) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher GST activity than $NS+CCl_4$. $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher GST activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (4) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher Glutathione Peroxidase activity than $NS+CCl_4$, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher Glutathione Peroxidase activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (5) $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher SOD activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (6) $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher Catalase activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (7) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed lower Hydroxyproline than $NS+CCl_4$ significantly, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher Hydroxyproline than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (8) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher ${\beta}$-Glucuronidase activity than $NS+CCl_4$, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher ${\beta}$-Glucuronidase activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. 4. Conclusions Gunyuljejo-tang has the recovering effects on the $CCl_4$-induced Liver Damage significantly.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.207-222
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• 2003

As a material of metal-ceramic prosthesis, nickel as a form of Ni-Cr alloy has been used for many dental prostheses in many cases. However, several problems in use of the alloy have been revealed (ex ; tissue stimulation, skin allergy, hypersensitivity cytotoxicity and carcinogenecity). Little is known about nickel with respect to the relationship between Ni-prosthesis and gaining of Niresistance in oral microorganisms. The present study was undertaken to check whether use of Ni-prosthesis leads to occurrence of Ni-resistant microorganisms. So this study may suggest the possible relationships between the oral microorganisms and nickel-resistance in oral environment. Bacteria were isolated from the gingival crevicular fluid on the patients wearing Ni-Cr prosthesis. The isolated bacteria were tested fir their Ni-resistance in nickel containing media at different concentration from 3mM to 110mM. E. coli HB101 was used as control. The Ni-resistant bacteria were isolated and biochemically identified. The Ni-resistant bacteria were tested several biochemical, molecular-biological tests. Performed tests were : measuring the growth curve, antibiotic test, growth ability test in liquid media, isolation of the chromosome and plasmid, digestion of DNA by restriction enzyme, electrophoresis of chromosome and plasmid DNA, identification of Ni-resistant genes by the DNA hybridization. The results were as follows 1) The bacteria isolated from gingival crevicular fluid on the patients wearing Ni-Cr alloy prosthesis showed nickel-resistance. 2) The isolated microorganisms grew at nickel containing media of high concentrations (60mM-110mM). 3) Based on the biochemical tests, the isolated microorganisms were identified as Enterococcus faecalis(13 cases), Klebsiella pneumoniae(1 case) and Enterobacter gergoviae(1 case). 4) Enterococcus faecalis expressed not only nickel resistance but also the multi-drug resistance to several antibiotics ; chloramphenicol, kanamicin, streptomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, However, all strain showed the sensitivity against the tetracycline. 5) DNA hybridization result suggests that there is no homology between the previously known gene of nickel resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and chromosomal DNA of Enterococcus faecalis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.100-107
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolation by the magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) method in tendon tissue-derived cells compared to the colony picking method for isolation of MSCs by picking colony-forming cells. Materials and Methods: Human tendon-derived cells were isolated by enzyme digestion using normal tendon tissues from three donors. We used the magnetic kit and well-known MSC markers (CD90 or CD105) to isolate MSCs in tendon-derived cells using MACS. Cloning cylinders were used to isolate colony-forming cells having MSC characteristics in tendon-derived cells. Colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay was used to evaluate the self-renewal capacity of cells isolated using the colony picking method or MACS. For comparison of differentiation potentials into osteogenic or adipogenic lineage between two groups, alizarin red S and oil red O staining were performed at 14 days after induction of differentiation in vitro. Results: Flow cytometry results showed that early passage tendon-derived cells expressed CD44 in 99.13%, CD90 in 56.51%, and CD105 in 86.19%. In the CFU-F assay, CD90+ or CD105+ cells isolated with MACS showed larger colony formation in size than cells isolated using the colony picking method. We also observed that CD90+ or CD105+ cells were constantly differentiated into both osteogenic and adipogenic lineages in cells from all donors, whereas cells isolated using the colony picking method were heterogeneous in differentiation potentials to the osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. Conclusion: CD90+ or CD105+ cells isolated using MACS showed superior MSC characteristics in the self-renewal and multi-differentiation capacities compared with cells isolated using the colony picking method.