• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2021

Dendritic cells (DC), which consist of several different subsets, specialize in antigen presentation and are critical for mediating the innate and adaptive immune responses. DC subsets can be classified into conventional, plasmacytoid, and monocyte-derived DC in the tumor microenvironment, and each subset plays a different role. Because of the role of intratumoral DCs in initiating antitumor immune responses with tumor-derived antigen presentation to T cells, DCs have been targeted in the treatment of cancer. By regulating the functionality of DCs, several DC-based immunotherapies have been developed, including administration of tumor-derived antigens and DC vaccines. In addition, DCs participate in the mechanisms of classical cancer therapies, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Thus, regulating DCs is also important in improving current cancer therapies. Here, we will discuss the role of each DC subset in antitumor immune responses, and the current status of DC-related cancer therapies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.392-400
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• 2021

It has been more than a year since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged. Many studies have provided insights into the various aspects of the immune response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Especially for antibody treatment and vaccine development, humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has been studied extensively, though there is still much that is unknown and controversial. Here, we introduce key discoveries on the humoral immune responses in COVID-19, including the immune dynamics of antibody responses and correlations with disease severity, neutralizing antibodies and their cross-reactivity, how long the antibody and memory B-cell responses last, aberrant autoreactive antibodies generated in COVID-19 patients, and the efficacy of currently available therapeutic antibodies and vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, and highlight gaps in the current knowledge.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.6
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• pp.237-242
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• 2014

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that comprises a variety of etiologies and inflammatory phenotypes. Clinically, there is a wide range of patients with varying severities and responses to individual drugs. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroid therapy has dramatically changed the treatment of asthma. Recent development of new therapies suggests the possibility of another breakthrough. These can be categorized as follows: anti-cytokine therapies that usually target eosinophilic inflammation, sublingual immunotherapy, and bronchial thermoplasty. In this paper, we will review the major articles related to asthma treatment that were published in 2013.

• Journal of Breast Disease
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.46-51
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• 2018

Purpose: Endocrine therapy is the preferred treatment for hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We investigated the efficacy of combined aromatase inhibitor (AI) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist in premenopausal patients with HR-positive MBC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 21 HR-positive premenopausal MBC patients treated with combined AI and LHRH agonist therapy. Results: The median follow-up period was 32.9 months. The overall response rate was 47.6%, with three complete responses (14.3%) and seven partial responses (33.3%). Nine patients (42.9%) achieved stable disease lasting more than 6 months; thus, the clinical benefit rate was 90.4%. The median time to progression was 45.4 months. No patients experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Conclusion: Combined AI and LHRH agonist treatment safely and effectively induced remission or prolonged disease stabilization, suggesting that this could be a promising treatment option for HR-positive premenopausal patients with MBC.

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate the growth responses of Pinus densiflora seedlings to enhanced UV-B environment for 16 weeks in the field condition. The seedlings were treated with one of three levels of UV-B dosages - ambient UV-B, ambient + 3.2, and ambient + 5.2 KJ m$^{-2}$day$^{-1}$ and the irradiation was performed at the stage before the germination, the fully expanded cotyledon, and the primary needles grown more than 0.8cm in length of the seedlings, respectively. Enhanced UV-B irradiation reduced the height and the root collar diameter growth, and dry mass production of the seedling, and T/R ratio was increased by the UV-B treatment. Difference in seedling growth was observed by difference in time of the UV-B treatment. Among the seedlings which were treated with ambient - 3.2 KJ m$^{-2}$day$^{-1}$, height and root collar diameter growth was relatively high in the seedling received the UV-B treatment at the stage before the germination. The lowest dry mass production was observed in the seedlings received the UV-B at stage of cotyledon both in two levels of enhanced UV-B treatment. Chlorophyll concentration was reduced by enhanced UV-B irradiation, and chlorophyll a/b ratio was increased by the UV-B treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2001

One-year-old cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) clones, which were classified as sensitive or tolerant, were exposed to 150 n1/1 ozone (O$_3$) over 8 days for 8 hours each day under glass chamber conditions with natural sunlight. The leaves of the sensitive clone had black stipple and bifacial necrosis after $O_3$ treatment. Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were measured before, during, and after the $O_3$ treatment. The photosynthetic rates due to $O_3$ treatment were decreased 51 percent and 34 percent on the sensitive and tolerant clone, respectively. The stomatal conductance of the sensitive clone was more than 40 percent higher than that of the tolerant clone regardless of the $O_3$ treatment. As light intensity increased, the $O_3$ effect on photosynthesis was clear. Compared to the previous growth chamber studies, our natural light exposure system was able to maintain a stable photosynthetic responses of the control treatment throughout the fumigation period. In addition, changes in assimilation versus intercellular $CO_2$ concentration (A/C curves) showed that $O_3$ decreased the slope and asymptote of the curves for the sensitive clone. This indicates that $O_3$ decreases the biochemical capacity of photosynthesis on the sensitive clone. Chlorophyll contents and fluorescence of the two clones were analyzed to examine the $O_3$ effects on photosystem 11, but $O_3$ did not impact these variables on either clone. Although the tolerant clone did not show any foliar injury, we could not find any ecophysiological defensive responses to $O_3$ treated. Stomatal conductance of the tolerant clone was originally much lower than that of the sensitive one. Thus, the mechanisms of the tolerant clone in this system are to narrowly open stomata and efficiently maintain photosynthesis with a more durable biochemical apparatus of photosynthesis under $O_3$ stress. The sensitive clone has higher photosynthetic capacity and more efficient light reaction activity than the tolerant one under charcoal filtered condition, but is not as resilient under stress.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aims to systematically examine the determinants of the intention to take herbal medicine among individuals with experience in Korean medicine. Methods : This study utilized the 3,245 respondents from the 2020 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey who reported having used Korean medical services; the responses were selected through a complex sample analysis, and analytics techniques including frequency analysis, Rao-scott chisquare test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the responses. Results : The results of data analysis reveal that the intention to take herbal medicine in the future among these individuals was significantly influenced by factors such as enrollment in private health insurance, the facility environment of Korean medical institutions, and treatment outcomes. Conclusions : Therefore, it is imperative for Korean medical institutions to continuously try reasonable action strategies, including improving medical facilities/environments and building institutional mechanisms among medical staff and members to enhance the quality of Korean medical services. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare needs to make policy efforts to reduce patients' medical expenses, such as reducing the co-insurance rate in the pilot project of applying health insurance to herbal medicine.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.255-261
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• 2006

Melittin-induced nociceptive responses are mediated by selective activation of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers and are modulated by excitatory amino acid receptor, cyclooxygenase, protein kinase C and serotonin receptor. The present study was undertaken to investigate the peripheral and spinal actions of voltage-gated calcium channel antagonists on melittin-induced nociceptive responses. Changes in mechanical threshold and number of flinchings were measured after intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of melittin $(30\;{\mu}g/paw)$ into mid-plantar area of hindpaw. L-type calcium channel antagonists, verapamil [intrathecal (i.t.), 6 or $12\;{\mu}g$; i.pl.,100 & $200\;{\mu}g$; i.p., 10 or 30 mg], N-type calcium channel blocker, ${\omega}-conotoxin$ GVIA (i.t., 0.1 or $0.5\;{\mu}g$; i.pl., $5\;{\mu}g$) and P-type calcium channel antagonist, ${\omega}-agatoxin$ IVA (i.t., $0.5\;{\mu}g$; i.pl., $5\;{\mu}g$) were administered 20 min before or 60 min after i.pl. injection of melittin. Intraplantar pre-treatment and i.t. pre- or post-treatment of verapamil and ${\omega}-conotoxin$ GVIA dose-dependently attenuated the reduction of mechanical threshold, and melittin-induced flinchings were inhibited by i.pl. or i.t. pre-treatment of both antagonists. P-type calcium channel blocker, ${\omega}-agatoxin$ IVA, had significant inhibitory action on flinching behaviors, but had a limited effect on melittin-induced decrease in mechanical threshold. These experimental findings suggest that verapamil and ${\omega}-conotoxin$ GVIA can inhibit the development and maintenance of melittin-induced nociceptive responses.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2002

The main purpose of this methodological study was to develop an assessment tool and intervention protocol for child and family with childhood cancer at early diagnosis stage. The assessment tool and intervention protocol was developed by extensive literature review and consultation with experts. Review of nine domestic and sixty-six international journal articles were done to identify stress, interventions, coping strategies and adjustment of children with cancer and their family. Results were as follows; First, assessment at the early diagnosis stage need to include information on patient, family, and patient/family attitude toward diagnosis and treatment. Second, intervention protocol for children with cancer includes control physical symptoms, manage the side effects of chemotherapy and diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, control emotional responses, provide support and information, assist decision-making and adjust to environment. Third, intervention protocol for family includes controlling emotional responses, provision of informations, inducing family support to patient, improving family cohesion, supporting siblings and supporting spiritual growth. In conclusion, the early diagnosis stage in cancer treatment is important for child and family since this stage greatly affects the overall adjustment of child and family to live with cancer. Therefore, pediatric nurses need to be sensitive to the need of patient/family and systematically manage their needs at this stage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.724-732
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• 2018

Plant defence responses to various biotic stresses via systemic acquired resistance (SAR) are induced by avirulent pathogens and chemical compounds, including certain plant hormones in volatile form, such as methyl salicylate and methyl jasmonate. SAR refers to the observation that, when a local part of a plant is exposed to elicitors, the entire plant exhibits a resistance response. In the natural environment, plants are continuously exposed to avirulent pathogens that induce SAR and volatile emissions affecting neighbouring plants as well as the plant itself. However, the underlying mechanism has not been intensively studied. In this study, we evaluated whether plants "memorise" the previous activation of plant immunity when exposed repeatedly to plant defensive volatiles such as methyl salicylate and methyl jasmonate. We hypothesised that stronger SAR responses would occur in plants treated with repeated applications of the volatile plant defence compound MeSA than in those exposed to a single or no treatment. Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings subjected to repeated applications of MeSA exhibited greater protection against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum than the control. The increase in SAR capacity in response to repeated MeSA treatment was confirmed by analysing the defence priming of the expression of N. benthamiana Pathogenesis-Related 1a (NbPR1a) and NbPR2 by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR compared with the control. We propose the concept of plant memory of plant defence volatiles and suggest that SAR is strengthened by the repeated perception of volatile compounds in plants.