• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2000

Purpose: Recently, a wide application of gastrofiberscopy in the pediatric group have revealed that nodular duodenitis is not an uncommon disease in children and is suspected to be associated with H. pylori infection. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical and histopathologic features in children with nodular duodenitis, and to assess the correlations beween both. Methods: During a period of 5 years (Jan. 1995~Dec. 1999), we investigated clinical, endoscopic and histopathologic features of 39 consecutive patients diagnosed as having nodular duodenitis at Pediatric department of Seoul Red Cross Hospital. In 35 children with nodular duodenitis endoscopic biopsy specimens were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and Giemsa's stain, and were graded according to the criteria outlined by Triadafilopoulos, Whitehead et al., and Prieto et al.. Statistical analyses were performed with Graph PAD InStat. Results: The prevalence rate of nodular duodenitis was 17.1% and the most frequent chief complaint was abdominal pain (69.2%). Endoscopically grade 1 was the most common (45.7%) and nodular gastritis was coexistent in 28.3%. The most common histology of the duodenum was grade 2 (54.3%), and the most common histologic score of the stomach was 2 (42.9%). H. pylori was found in the duodenum in 37.1%, and in the stomach in 31.4%. The correlation coefficient between the endoscopic grade and the histologic grade of nodular duodenitis was 0.3983 (p=0.0178). And the correlation coefficient between the histologic grade and the grade of H. pylori colonization in the duodenum was 0.5154 (p=0.0018). Conclusion: There was significant correlation between the endoscopic grade and the histologic grade of nodular duodenitis, and was also significant correlation between the histologic grade and the grade of H. pylori colonization in the duodenum. Therfore H. pylori infection should be regarded as an etiologic factor of nodular duodenitis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1243-1253
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• 2012

The production and secretion of growth hormone (GH) in the anterior pituitary gland can be induced by several natural products to control cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. To investigate whether Chungkookjang (CKJ) produced by the fermentation process affects GH-related metabolism, the secretion and the response of GH were observed in pituitary cells and GH target cells. Among six CKJs manufactured by different strains of glycine max, only three CKJs, including Daewon (DW), Daepung (DP), and Taegwang (TG), induced GH secretion from GH3 cells at 5.0 mg/ml concentration. There were no significant changes detected in the viability of any of the cells treated with these CKJs. In addition, the increase in GH secretion from the GH3 cells was dependent on the concentration of the three types of CKJs. The proliferation of cell lines, including MG63 and HepG2 cells, that originated from those derived from the GH target organs was significantly activated by treatment with the GH-containing conditional medium (GCM) harvested from the three CKJ-treated GH3 cells, although their induction rate was different from each other. In these cells, p-STAT5 was maximally translocated into the nucleus of MG63 cells 30 min after DW treatment, while it was translocated in HepG2 cells at 60 min. These results suggest that these three types of CKJ could enhance the secretion of GH, as well as the GCM-derived response, in the two target organs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2024

Purpose : Smoking is a major factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the effect of electrical cigarette smoking on COPD development is still uncertain. This study aimed to compare the functions of airways and lungs exposed to combustible cigarettes and electrical cigarettes based on the pulmonary function test (PFT) results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods : This study used data from 8,942 participants with PFT results out of 47,309 total subjects from the 6th to 8th Korean NHANES (2014-2015, 2016-2018, and 2019, respectively). Individuals with diseases such as cancer, ex-smokers, and dual tobacco users were excluded. The PFT results were analyzed according to the COPD diagnostic criteria. After adjusting for confounding variables, a complex sample generalized linear model ANOVA test was performed to investigate the association between PFT results and combustible smoker or electrical cigarette user groups. Results : In an analysis based on the obstructive ventilatory disorders (forced expiratory volume in 1 second[FEV₁]/forced vital capacity[FVC]<.7), combustible cigarette smokers showed a 3.46 times higher risk of COPD compared to non-smokers, while electrical cigarette smokers exhibited no significant difference in terms of COPD-related risks compared to non-smokers. FEV₁ showed a negative relation with combustible cigarette smokers as reported elsewhere (B=-.07, p<.001). FEV₁/FVC was negatively related to both combustible cigarette smokers (B=-.03, p<.001) and electrical cigarette smokers (B=-.02, p<.001). Conclusion : FEV₁/FVC decreases were observed in the long-term exposure to both combustible and electrical cigarettes. The lower FEV₁ in the combustible cigarette group implies the worsening of the severity of COPD, suggesting more damage to the airways and lungs in the short term. Therefore, the temporary electrical cigarettes use for the transition period in order to smoking cessation potentially aids to reduce the harmful effect of combustible cigarettes in COPD development.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.612-621
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the histomorphological change of curved root canal preparation using GT rotary File, Profile .04 taper and stainless steel K-file. 45 mesial canals(over 20 degree) of extracted human mandibular first molars were mounted in resin using a modified Bramante muffle system and divided into three groups. The roots were cross-sectioned at 2.5mm 5mm and 8mm levels from apical foramen. Tracings of the canals were made from preinstrumentation pictures of the cross section. The canals were prepared using a step-back technique with stainless steel K file(group 1), Profile .04 taper rotary file(group 2) and GT rotary file(group 3). Tracings of the prepared canals were made from postinstrumentation picture. Canal centring ratio. amount of transportation, area of dentin removed and shape of canal were measured and statistically were evaluated with Student-Newman-Keuls test using Sigma Stat(Jandel Scientific Software, USA). The results were as followings : 1 Amount of transportation of group 2 was the lowest at apical part, but there was no statistical difference. The direction of transportation was the outside of curvature at apical part. 2. Centering ratio at the apical part of group 1 was the highest, and there was statistical differences between apical and middle part, apical and coronal part(p＜0.05). Centering ratio at the middle part of group 3 was the lowest, and there was statistical difference between apical and middle part(p＜0.05). Centering ratio of group 2 was the lowest at apical part, but there was no statistical difference. 3. Amount of dentin removed of group 1 was the highest at coronal, middle and apical part among three groups, and there was statistical difference(p＜0.05). 4. The majority of the cross-sectioned canal shape after instrumentation were irregular at coronal, middle and apical part. But there are more number of round shaped canals at group 3 than other group.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2014

NF-${\kappa}B$ is a transcriptional factor which is involved in many biological processes including immunity, inflammation, and cell survival. Many investigators studied on the mechanism involved in activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ signalling pathway via ubiquitination and degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ regarding skin disease. Some specific molecules including Akt, MEK, p38 MAP Kinase, Stat3, et al. represent convergence points and key regulatory proteins in signaling pathways controlling cellular events such as growth and differentiation, energy homeostasis, and the response to stress and inflammation. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has many adverse effects on skin, including inflammation, alteration in the extracellular matrix, cellular senescence, apoptosis and skin cancer. Prunus mume, a naturally derived plant extract, has beneficial biological activities as blood fluidity improvement, anti-fatigue action, antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities, inhibiting the motility of Helicobacter pyolri. Previous reports on various beneficial function prompted us to investigate UVB-induced or other immunostimulated biological marker regarding P. mume extract. P. mume extract suppresses UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mouse skin epidermal JB6 P+ cells. The activation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ induced by UVB was dose-dependently inhibited by P. mume extract treatment. This results suggest that P. mume extracts might be used as a potential agents for protection of inflammation or UVB induced skin damage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.29-42
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• 2017

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis accompanies with severe pruritus and collapse of skin barrier, inflammation. Maifanite could be used as an ointment for skin disease. However, there have been few studies about maifanite uses for atopic dermatitis. We report the anti-inflammatory and promoting skin recovery effects of ionized maifanite on damaged skin barrier with experimentally elicited atopic dermatitis. Methods : Nc/Nga mice were divided into 3 groups: control group(CON), atopic dermatitis elicited group(AE group), ionized maifanite treated group after atopic dermatitis elicitation(MT group). After 5% SDS was applied D. pteronyssinus crude extract also applied for 3 weeks to elicit atopic dermatitis-like skin disease. MT group was treated for 3 weeks with ionized maifanite. Ionized maifanite was applied once a day and voluntarily administrated. AE group and control group were treated with normal saline in the same way. Results : In MT group, skin lesions like eczema were more improved than AE group. p-ERK1/2 positive reaction was reduced in MT group. MMP-9 and substance P positive reaction at dermal papillae was also reduced in MT group. With skin angiogram, capillary vessel decreased in MT group. Also, IL-4 positive reaction cell and STAT-6 positive reaction cell reduced more in MT group than in AE group. $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 positive reaction cell and iNOS positive reaction cell also declined more in MT group than in AE group. Conclusions : It is supposed that ionized maifanite has anti-inflammatory effects on NC/Nga mice's atopic dermatitis with suppressing IL-4 production and Th2 cell differentiation, and controlling $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2017

Glioblastomas (GBM) are very difficult to treat and their aggressiveness is one of the main reasons for this as well as for the frequent recurrences. MicroRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate their target genes through interaction between their seed sequence and 3'UTR of the target mRNAs. We previously reported that miR-296-3p is regulated by neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and enhances the invasiveness of GBM cells via SOCS2/STAT3. In this study, we investigated whether miR-296-5p, which originates from the same precursor miRNA as miR-296-3p, can increase the invasiveness of GBM cells. It was observed that miR-296-5p potentiated the invasion of various GBM cells including LN229, T98G, and U87MG. Through bioinformatics approaches, two genes were identified as miR-296-5p targets: caspase-8 (CASP8) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). From results obtained from Ago2 immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays, we found that miR-296-5p downregulates CASP8 and NGFR through direct interaction between seed sequence of the miRNA and 3'UTR of the target mRNA. Knockdown of CASP8 or NGFR also increased the invasive ability of GBM cells, indicating that CASP8 and NGFR are involved in potentiation of invasiveness by miR-296-5p. Consistent with our findings, CASP8 was downregulated in brain metastatic lung cancer cells, which have a high level of miR-296-5p, compared to parental cells, suggesting that miR-296-5p may be generally associated with the acquisition of invasiveness. Collectively, our results implicate miR-296-5p as a potential cause of invasiveness in cancer and suggest it as a promising therapeutic target for GBM.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2014

Human Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that promotes secretion of insulin. In order to eliminate the formation of the soluble aggregate, Ala19 in GLP-1 was substituted with Thr, resulting in a GLP-1 mutant GLP-1A19T. The gene synthesis of GLP-1A19T and the fusion of 6-lysine tagged ubiquitin gene were accomplished by using the overlap extension polymerase chain reaction. The ubiquitin fused GLP-1A19T (K6UbGLP-1A19T) is expressed as form of inclusion body with little formation of the soluble aggregation in recombinant E. coli. In order to produce K6UbGLP-1A19T in large amounts, fed-batch fermentation was carried out in a pH-stat feeding strategy. Maximum dry cell weight of 87.7 g/L and 20.4% of specific K6UbGLP-1A19T content were obtained. Solid-phase refolding using a cation exchanger was carried out to renature K6UbGLP-1A19T. The refolded K6UbGLP-1A19T aggregated little and was released GLP-1A19T by on-column cleavage with ubiquitin-specific protease-1. The molecular mass of GLP-1A19T showed an accurate agreement with its theoretical molecular mass.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.158-172
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• 2017

Nigella sativa (N. sativa, family Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been widely used for centuries throughout the world as a natural remedy. A wide range of chemical compounds found in N. sativa expresses its vast therapeutic effects. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component (up to 50%) in the essential oil of N. sativa. Also, pinene (up to 15%), p-cymene (40%), thymohydroquinone (THQ), thymol (THY), and dithymoquinone (DTQ) are other pharmacologically active compounds of its oil. Other terpenoid compounds, such as carvacrol, carvone, 4-terpineol, limonenes, and citronellol, are also found in small quantities in its oil. The main pharmacological characteristics of this plant are immune system stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-tussive, milk production, uricosuric, choleretic, anti-fertility, and spasmolytic properties. In this regard, we have searched the scientific databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with keywords of N. sativa, anti-cancer, apoptotic effect, antitumor, antioxidant, and malignancy over the period from 2000 to 2017. The effectiveness of N. sativa against cancer in the blood system, kidneys, lungs, prostate, liver, and breast and on many malignant cell lines has been shown in many studies, but the molecular mechanisms behind that anti-cancer role are still not clearly understood. From among the many effects of N. sativa, including its anti-proliferative effect, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS generation, anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis effects, Akt pathway control, modulation of multiple molecular targets, including p53, p73, STAT-3, PTEN, and $PPAR-{\gamma}$, and activation of caspases, the main suggestive anti-cancer mechanisms of N. sativa are its free radical scavenger activity and the preservation of various anti-oxidant enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and the anti-cancer effects of N. sativa, with a focus on its molecular targets in apoptosis pathways.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 1968

(1) The present work is a study on the tolerance of salt concentration, salt injuries and growth, under varied conditions, of salt concentration of five kind silvicultural species. (2) Pinus thunbergii, which is tolerant of stat, has shown both low fresh leaf's pH and low gravity, while Pinus densiflora, Abies bolophylla and Pinus koraiensis have respectively shown high fresh leaf's pH and high gravity. (3) Pinus thunbergii, which is tolerant otosalt, has shown high water content ind its lead, hbile such speciesras Pinus densiflora an Abies lophylla, which are intolerant of salt have shownlow water content in their leaves. (4) A signifficance has ibeen found, in the nonreatment fresh les's pH and n gravity, among Pinusthunbergiis Pinu rigida, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus densiflora and Abies holophya. (5) The order of thetlolerance of salt among the tested species is as foohws : Pinus thunbergii, P. Korea iensis, Abies holopylla. (6) The signs of salt injuries have been observed at the tops of the trees 2~3 hours after the application of 1.5% salt solution in the case of Abiihs holop hylla which are intolerant of salt, while they have been of served at the same position 4~6 hours after the 1.5% application in the case of Pinus Koraiensis and Pinus thunbergii.