• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.131-149
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of herbal acupuncture (HA) with Moxi-tar for the treatment to intestinal disease in mice with 2, 4, 6 - trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. Methods : Mice were administered with 5% TNBS at day 1 and day 7. To investigate effects of HA with Moxi-tar at LI11, treatments were carried out at day -1, day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 7. It was checked on the weight and width of colon, diarrhea, edema, survival rate, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity. Furthermore, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot and analyzed mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Results : HA of Moxi-tar at LI11 in preventive mode suppressed macroscopic damages and damages of intestinal epithelial cells and infiltration of immune cells in the colon by TNBS. HA in early and preventive mode ameliorated various symptoms by TNBS. TNBS injection increased MPO activity in colon while HA in preventive mode suppressed increase of MPO activity. HA down-regulated NF-kB activity and reduced expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in colon of TNBS treated mice. Similar to experiment at colon, HA down-regulated NF-kB activity and reduced expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 by TNBS in mesenteric lymph node. HA in therapeutic mode suppressed errosion and shortening of colon and MPO activity by TNBS and suppressed mRNA expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in the colon. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that HA with Moxi-tar at LI11 represents a potential therapeutic method of inflammatory bowel diseases.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.442-450
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• 2016

This study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity of fermented Cheonggukjang extract using the new Strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NBF11-1, which was first found on the surface of the node part of bamboo stems, but has been studied very little so far. Bacillus subtilis NG24, which is the traditional fermented strain of Cheonggukjang, was selected as the control group and a comparative analysis was performed. The experimental method included measurements of the antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and heat and pH stability. B. amyloliquefaciens NBF11-1 had stronger antimicrobial activity than B. subtilis NG24 against the gram-positive bacteria, C. perfringens and S. aureus and the gram-negative bacteria, A. faecalis and E. coli among the six species of pathogenic bacteria studied. When the minimum inhibitory concentration was measured, B. amyloliquefaciens NBF11-1 in C. perfringens, S. aureus, A. faecalis, and E. coli had an inhibitory effect at concentrations of 0.01 %, 0.21 %, 0.45 % and 0.29 %, respectively, compared to B. subtilis NG24. When the heat and pH stability was measured, B. subtilis NG24 and B. amyloliquefaciens NBF11-1 Cheonggukjang extract did not show any decrease in activity when held at a temperature of $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 minutes and at pH values ranging from 2 to 10 and were therefore considered to be relatively stable against heat and pH changes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1987

There is evidence that the effect of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ on heart rate is temperature-dependent: at $38^{\circ}C$ excess $Ca^{2+}$ induces positive chronotropic response, whereas at $30^{\circ}C$ there is no significant chronotropic effect of $Ca^{2+}$. The cause of this temperature-dependency, however, remains still unclear. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the chronotropic effect of external $Ca^{2+}$ at different temperature in the isolated rabbit atria and in the small strips of SA node cut perpendicularly to crista terminalis. In the isolated atria, the $Ca^{2+}$ effect was temperature-dependent: at $35^{\circ}C$ excess $Ca^{2+}$ evoked positive chronotropic response, while at $30^{\circ}C$ there was no significant changes in sinus rate. On the contrary, in the small SA strips external $Ca^{2+}$ induced negative chronotropic effect. At $35^{\circ}C$ changes in $Ca^{2+}$ concentration from 2 to 4, 6, and 10 mM decreased the sinus rate by $2.7{\pm}1.6%$, $11.2{\pm}3.7%$ and $23.2{\pm}8.1%$ respectively. Lowering the temperature to $30^{\circ}C$, the negative chronotropic effect of $Ca^{2+}$ became greater. With intracellular microelectrodes transmembrane potential was recorded in the small SA strips at $30^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$ and $38^{\circ}C$. As temperature increased from 30 to $38^{\circ}C$, sinus rate was accelerated by $13/min/^{\circ}C$, $APD_{50}$(action ptential duration from peak to 50% repolarization) decreased by $5\;msec/^{\circ}C$, and amplitude of action potential was slightly decreased. With an increase in $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations from 0.5 to 6 mM, overshoot increased and MDP decreased. These $Ca^{2+}$ effects on the overshoot and MDP of action potentials were not altered by temperature. But the $Ca^{2+}$ effects on the rates of diastolic depolarization, systolic depolarization and repolarization were modified by temperature. Discrpancy of the chronotropic effects of $Ca^{2+}$ between isolated atria and small SA strips was discussed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1106-1115
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• 2009

Mori Ramulus has multiple applications in Korean traditional medicine prescription because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing macrophage activities. Yet, no studies on the anti-arthritic activity of EMR (extract of Mori Ramulus) have been reported in vitro and in vivo. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation characterized by hyperplasia of synovial cells in affected joints, which ultimately leads to the destruction of cartilage and bone. Because collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is similar to RA in pathological symptoms and immune reactions, there have been several reports concerning RA using CIA mouse model. Here, we investigated the effects of Mori Ramulus on RA using CIA mice. The importance of CD4+ Th1 cells in RA progress was previously indicated and studies further showed that Th17 cells play a prime role in severity of disease. Accordingly, the present study was focused on CIA associated with CD4+ Th1 cells and Th1 7 cells. DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII). After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with EMR once a day for 4 weeks. The severity of arthritis within the paw joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Immune cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), draining lymph node (DLN) and paw joints, cytokine production and gene expression were assessed from CIA mouse using ELISA, FACS and real-time PCR analysis. Administration of EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-17 in the serum. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with EMR. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and that this action was mediated by the decreased production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-17 and collagen II-specific antibody in the serum. EMR suppressed Th17 cells and reduced level of IL-6 via B cell suppression, and thus, the levels of autoantibodies produced from B cells were decreased. Furthermore, EMR suppressed NKT cells which directly stimulate B cells and develop imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell. Oral administration of EMR (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which is comparable to that of methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg) used as a positive control. We are currently studying the mechanism underlying the therapeutic role for EMR in CIA mice.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value of proliferation factors, Ki67 and PCNA, as prognostic markers predicting the survival and neck metastasis in patients with oral cancer. Methods: 101 patients with HNSCCs, were followed retrospectively for a median period of 60 months(from 16 to 82 months). All tumors were resected surgically and examined by conventional light microscopy, immunohistochemistry. The age, sex, tumor location, clinical stage(size), metastasis, proliferative activity index(assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and Ki67 immunoreactivity) were considered as potential prognostic factors and were correlated with patient survival. Results: Ki67 staining results ranged from 5% to 80% of tumor cell nuclei, with a median of 25%. PCNA staining results ranged from 1% to 90% with a median of 50%. With a cut-off point of 25%, patients with lower Ki67 scores showed survival advantages over those with higher Ki67 scores (p=0.0089). With cut-off point of 50%, patients with lower PCNA scores showed survival advantages over those with higher PCNA scores (p=0.0104). Pathologically neck node positive patients(n=27) showed higher PCNA expression(p=0.02) than pathologically negative neck node patients(n=39). Conclusions: The lower expressions of Ki67 and PCNA were associated with favorable prognosis such as higher survival rate and lower neck node metastasis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.868-880
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• 2018

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive cancers presenting with high rates of invasion and metastasis, and unfavorable prognoses. The current study aims to investigate whether EZH2/miR-139-5p axis affects epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) in PC, and the mechanism how EZH2 regulates miR-139-5p. Human PC and adjacent normal tissues were collected to determine expression of EZH2 and miR-139-5p, and their relationship with clinicopathological features of PC. Human PC cell line was selected, and treated with miR-139-5p mimics/inhibitors, EZH2 vector or shEZH2 in order to validate the regulation of EZH2-mediated miR-139-5p in PC cells. Dual-luciferase report gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were employed to identify the relationship between miR-139-5p and EZH2. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the expression of miR-139-5p, EZH2 and EMT-related markers and ZEB1/2. Tumor formation ability and in vitro cell activity were also analyzed. Highly-expressed EZH2 and poorly-expressed miR-139-5p were detected in PC tissues, and miR-139-5p and EZH2 expressions were associated with patients at Stage III/IV, with LNM and highly-differentiated tumors. EZH2 suppressed the expression of miR-139-5p through up-regulating Histone 3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation (H3K27me3). EMT, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were impeded, and tumor formation and LNM were reduced in PC cells transfected with miR-139-5p mimics and shEZH2. MiR-139-5p transcription is inhibited by EZH2 through up-regulating H3K27me3, thereby down-regulation of EZH2 and up-regulation of miR-139-5p impede EMT and LNM in PC. In addition, the EZH2/miR-139-5p axis presents as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PC.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

This is descriptive study to 2nd analysis data KNHANES IV-VI about risk factors of readmission among patients with cardiovascular disease. Among the total 65,973 adults, 1,037 with angina or myocardial infarction were analyzed. The analysis was conducted using SPSS window 21 Program and CHAID decision tree was used in the classification analysis. Root nodes are economic activity(χ²=12.063, p=.001), children's nodes are personal income(χ²=6.575, p=.031), weight change(χ²=12.758, p=.001), residential area(χ²=4.025, p=.045), direct smoking(χ²=3.884, p=.031). p=.049), level of education(χ²=9.630, p=.024). Terminal nodes are hypertension(χ²=3.854, p=.050), diabetes mellitus(χ²=6.056, p=.014), occupation type(χ²=7.799, p=.037). We suggest that the development and operation of programs considering the integrated approach of various factors is necessary for the readmission management of cardiovascular patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2000

Purpose: This prospective study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative radioimmunoscintigraphy and intraoperative scintimetric examination (radioimmunoguided surgery: RIGS) using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ fragment. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients with rectal cancer underwent preoperative whole body planar scintigraphy at 4 hours after injection of $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ fragment and SPECT imaging at 18 hours. Surgical operation was performed at 24 hours after injection. During laparotomy, radioactivities from intraabdominal viscera were measured by gamma probe. The radioactivities from excised tumor and lymph nodes were also measured and compared with pathology. Results: All nineteen patients were confirmed to have adenocarcinomas in the rectum. Twenty-seven of 97 excised lymph node groups had metastasis and 2 patients had liver metastasis in pathology Preoperative radioimmunoscintigraphy detected primary tumors in 11 patients (sensitivity 55%) and it could not detect any lymph nodes or liver metastasis. All patients showed high radioactivity in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and major vessels in intraoperative measurement by gamma probe, and tumor activity was not discriminated from background activity However, radioactivity from excised tumor was higher than normal rectum (T/B ratio; $3.47{\pm}2.25$). When excised lymph node activity/background activity ratio >1.5 was considered as positive criteria of metastasis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 78.6%, 73.9%, 55.0% and 89.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Radioimmunoscintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ has no additional value for preoperative staging and use of early RIGS using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ is inappropriate. For early RIGS using $^{99m}Tc$ labeled antibodies in rectal cancer patients, further development of more specific antibodies and methods to reduce background activity are needed.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.608-618
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• 1995

This study was conducted to determine physiobiochemical basis of heterosis using rice hybrids such as Shanyou 63 (Zhenshan 97As Minhui 63) and Teyou 63 (Longtepu A Minhui 63) as compared with inbred rice like Milyang 23. Seed protein patterns of rice hybrid showed complementary genetic characteristics inherited from their parents. Hybrid rice had larger embryo and higher $\alpha$-amylase activity than those of inbred rice. The larger embryo of hybrid was significantly correlated with tillering ability and high number of low node tillers jplant increased by 60~70% in Shanyou 63, leading to higher productive tillers/plant which directly influenced on grain yield of hybrid rice. These characters were further supported by high chlorophyll content in hybrids. Exogenous application of GA$_3$ (0.02 ppm) on inbred rice like Milyang 23, increased significantly $\alpha$-amylase activity, but no effect of GA$_3$ on hybrid rice was observed, indicating that sufficient amount of GA$_3$ is endogenously present in hybrid rice, showing 1 to 3.5 fold higher activity of $\alpha$-amylase in hybrid rice, which trigger heterosis from the germinating stage. Further, activity of cytochrome c oxidase was 2.66 to 5.52 fold higher in hybrid rice than that of inbred rice, indicating that rice hybrids have very active metabolism reflecting vigorous growth starting from the germinating stage, in turn leading to higher tillering ability.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2004

Colostrum contains various kinds of cytokines including TGF-$\beta$ that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system. We compared the levels of TGF-$\beta$1 and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine and human colostrum. Based on the isoform-specific ELISA, bovine colostrum collected on day 1 post-delivery retained $53.71{\pm}29.55\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $40.41{\pm}21.78\;{\mu}g/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=4), while in human, $381.45{\pm}158.24\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $41.47{\pm}9.63\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=5). Thus, dominant TGF-$\beta$ isoforms were completely opposite between human and bovine colostrum samples. The concentrations of both isoforms declined as lactation proceeded. Biological activities of the colostrum samples were determined using an MV1LU cell line. Consistent with the result from the immunoassay, TGF-$\beta$1 in human and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum were responsible for the anti proliferative activity against MV1LU cells. Furthermore, bovine colostrum increased IgA secretion by LPS-stimulated mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, and this effect was abrogated by either anti­TGF-$\beta$2 antibody or combined anti-TGF-$\beta$1/$\beta$2 antibody, but not by anti- TGF-$\beta$1 antibody alone. Similarly, TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum enhanced the Ig germ line (GL) promoter activity, which is the earliest event toward IgA isotype switching. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-$\beta$ isoforms, differentially expressed in human and bovine colostrum, may promote IgA isotype production in the neonatal intestine.