• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.67-84
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• 1997

Bujeonghangamtang(扶正抗癌湯) has been used for cure of tumor as a traditional medicine without any experimental evidence to support the rational basis for its clinical use. This study was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic or antitumoral effects of Bujeonghangamtang extract against tumor, and to carry out some mechanisms responsible for its effect. Some kinds of tumor were induced by the typical application of 3-methylcholanthrene. (MCA) or by the implantation(s.c) of malignant tumor cells such as leukemia cells(3LL cells) or sarcoma cells(Sl80 cells). Treatment of the Bujeonghangamtang water-extract (dailly 1mg／mouse, i. p.) was continued for 7 days prior to tumor induction and after that the treatment was lasted for 20 days. Against squamous cell carcinoma induced by MCA, Bujeonghangamtang decreased not only the frequency of tumor production but also the number and the weight of tumors per tumor bearing mice (TBM). Bujeonghangamtang also significantly suppressed the development of 3LL cell and S180 cell-implanted tumors in occurrence-frequency and their size, and some developed tumors were regressed by the continuous treatment of Bujeonghangamtang extract into TBM. In vitro, treatment of Bujeonghangamtang extract had no effect on the growth of some kinds of cell line such as FsaII, A431 strain but significantly inhibited the proliferation of 3LL, S180 cells and augmented the DNA synthesis of mitogen-activated lymphocytes. Bujeonghangamtang also stimulated the migrative ability of leukocyte, the MIF and IL-2 production of T lymphocytes, but not IL 6 production of B cells. Bujeonghangamtang-administration to mice enhanced NK cells activities. These results demonstrated that Bujeonghangamtang extract exhibited a significant prophylactic benefits against tumors and its antitumor activity was manifested depending on the type of tumor cells. And these results also suggested that effect of Bujeonghangamtang might be chiefly due to nonspecific enhancement of NK cell activities and cell-mediated immune responses.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

Although Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is an important commercial species in Korea, its recruitment mechanism remains largely unknown. Diel vertical positioning of larvae in the water column, which is affected by their specific gravity and the surrounding water density, may help to provide an understanding on recruitment success through predator avoidance and prey availability. The specific gravity measurement on Pacific mackerel eggs and larvae would seem to be essential information necessary to learn about the transport process from spawning to nursery grounds, and consequently the recruitment success. Eggs were artificially fertilized, and larvae were fed with rotifer when their mouths opened 3-4 days after hatching. We conducted the experiment using a density gradient water column to measure the ontogenetic changes in specific gravity from fertilization to 10 days after hatching. Egg specific gravity was stable during most of the embryonic period, but a sudden increase to $1.0249g\;cm^{-3}$ happened just before hatching. However, the specific gravity of newly hatched larvae was much lighter ($1.0195g\;cm^{-3}$), and specific gravity tended to increase continuously after hatching. Comparison of specific gravity with seawater density reveals that eggs and newly hatched larvae can float in the surface layer of the ocean. For the later period of the experiment, the specific gravity showed a cyclic diel pattern: the highest in the evening while the lowest at dawn. The fullness of larval stomach may be responsible for the observed differences in specific gravity, because stomach fullness was lower (40-60%) at midnight, and higher (80-85%) in evening. The diel pattern of specific gravity might provide clues regarding how larvae match the diel vertical migration of prey organisms.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2009

Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone produced from primarily cells of the peritubular capillary endothelium of the kidney, is responsible for the regulation of red blood cell production. We have been investigating the roles of glycosylation site added in the biosynthesis and function of recombinant protein. We constructed three EPO mutants ($\Delta$69, $\Delta$105 and $\Delta$69,105), containing an additional oligosaccharide chains. EPOWT and EPO$\Delta$69 were effectively expressed in transient and stably transfected CHO-K1 cell lines. But, it wasn't detected any protein in the culture medium of EPO$\Delta$105 and EPO$\Delta$69,105 mutants. The growth and differentiation of EPO-dependent human leukemic cell line (F36E) were used to measure the cytokine dependency and in vitro bioactivity of rec-hEPO. MTT assay values were increased by survival of F36E cells at 24h. To analysis biological activity in vivo, two groups of ICR-mice (7 weeks old) were injected subcutaneously with 10 IU per mice of rec-hEPO molecules on days 0 and 2. Red blood cell and hematocrit values were measured on 6 days after the first injection. The hematocrit values were remarkably increased in all treatment groups. The pharmacokinetic analysis was also affected in the mice injected with rec-hEPO molecules 2.5 IU by tail intravenous. Protein samples were detected by Western blotting. An EPO$\Delta$69 protein migrated as a broad band with an average apparent molecular and detected slightly high band. Enzymatic N-deglycosylation resulted in narrow band and was the same molecular size. The biological activity of EPO$\Delta$69 was enhanced to compare with wt-hEPO. The half-life was longer than wt-hEPO. The results suggest that hyperglycosyalted recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO$\Delta$69) may have important biological and therapeutic good points.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.49-56
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• 2003

The strain Ralstonia eutopha JMP134 (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134) can degrade trichloroethylene(TCE) through a chromosomal phenol-dependent pathway. The phenol hydroxylase was previously found to be a single responsible enzyme for TEC degradation. Here, we demonstrate that a recombinant bacterium, R. eutopha AEK301, one of Tn5-induced mutants of JMP134 containing a recombinant plasmid pYK3011, degrades TCE in the absence of inducer, phenol and in the presence of various carbon sources. Complete removal of TCE ($50{\mu}M$) was observed in minimal medium containing only 0.05% ethanol as a carbon source within 24 hours. The bacterium removed $200{\mu}M$ of TCE to below detectable level within two days under non-selective pressure. When TCE concentration was increased up to $400{\mu}M$, the degradation had been continued until two days, then ceased with removal of 70% of detectable TCE.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.166-171
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• 2002

The genus Leuconostoc is generally recognized as a favorable microorganism associated with a good taste of Kimchi and Lactobacillus plantarum is responsible for the overripening and acidification of Kimchi. A rapid and reliable PCR-based method to monitor the change of these lactic acid bacterial populations during Kimchi fermentation was attempted. A Leuconostoc-specific primer set was chosen from the conserved sequences of 16S rRNA genes among Leuconostoc species. The Lb. plantarum-specific primer set was the internal segments of a Lb. plantarum-specific probe which was isolated after randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and tested for identification. The specificity of this protocol was examined in DNA samples isolated from a single strain. In agarose gel, as little as 10 pg of template DNA could be used to visualize the PCR products, and quantitative determination was possible at the levels of 10 pg to 100 ng template DNA. For the semi-quantitative determination of microbial changes during Kimchi fermentation, total DNAs from the 2 h-cultured microflora of Kimchi were extracted for 16 days and equal amounts of DNA templates were used for PCR. The intensities of DNA bands obtained from PCR using Leuconostoc-specific and Lb. plantarum-specific primer sets marked a dramatic contrast at the 1 ng and 100 ng template DNA levels during Kimchi fermentation, respectively. As the fermentation proceeded, the intensity of the band for Leuconostoc species increased sharply until the 5th day and the levels was maintained until the 11 th day. The sharp increase for Lb. plantarum occurred after 11 days with the decrease of Leuconostoc species. The results of this study indicate that Leuconostoc species were the major microorganisms at the beginning of Kimchi fermentation and reach their highest population during the optimum ripening period of Kimchi.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.281-286
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• 2010

A Pseudomonas fluorescens strain was isolated and found to show antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi and to possess a gene responsible for production of antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. For the extension of biocontrol range, a gene for an Androetonus australis Hector insect toxin 1 (AaHIT1), one of the most known toxic insect-selective peptides, was designed and synthesized according to the preferred codon usage of Pseudomonas fluorescens, cloned, and transformed into the strain by pSUP106 vector, a broad-host-range plasmid. Bioassays indicated that the engineered strain was able to produce AaHIT1 with insecticidal activity, and at the same time retain the activity against plant pathogen. The experiments for nonplanted soil and rhizosphere colonization showed that, similar to the population of the wild-type strain, that of the engineered strain remained relatively constant in the first 10 days, and the subsequent 50 days, suggesting that AaHIT1 expression in the bacterial cell does not substantially impair its long-term colonization. It is first reported that a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain expressing an active scorpion neurotoxin has dual activity against phytopathogenic fungi and insects, making at attractive for agronomic applications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4125-4129
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• 2016

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) places a significant burden on the patient. Herbal agents are the most commonly complementary therapies used among the public. This study was done to determine the effect of ginger and chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in cases undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and clinical trial study, 65 women with BC undergoing chemotherapy were referred to Breast Cancer Research Center, Tehran, Iran, between May 2013 to June 2014. Regimen for ginger group for 5 days before and 5 days after chemotherapy was: 2 times a day and 500 mg capsules of powdered ginger root in addition to a routine antiemetic regimen consisting of dexamethasone, metoclopramide and aprepitant (DMA) capsules. Chamomile group similarly was: 2 times a day and 500 mg capsules of Matricaria chamomilla extract in addition to a routine antiemetic regimen consisting of DMA capsules. Control group, routine antiemetic regimen consisting of DMA capsules. Results: There were no significant differences between the ginger, chamomile and control groups regarding age. Drugs used for chemotherapy were identical and duration of disease was also matched (1-4 months). Ginger and chamomile were both significantly effective for reducing the frequency of vomiting, there being no significant difference between the ginger and chamomile groups. Moreover, unlike the chamomile, ginger significantly influenced the frequency of nausea. Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, it should be declared that taking ginger capsules (1 g/day) might relieve CINV safely. Nurses dealing directly with cancer patients should be responsible for providing educational programs for patients and their families about how to deal with their drug regimens and associated side effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.903-911
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• 2008

The effects of salt and bicarbonate solution on overall meat quality in beef biceps femoris muscle were investigated with the application of chilling and freezing conditions. Muscles were injected to a target of 120% of original meat weight with a solution containing 1.2 M sodium chloride, 0.25 M sodium bicarbonate and 0.1% ascorbic acid (pH 7.2). Half of the meat samples, considered as chill treatment and chill control, were stored at $4^{\circ}C$ up to five days; while the other half, frozen treatment and frozen control, were kept in a freezer at $-20^{\circ}C$ for seven days. Compared with untreated control, treated meats had higher water holding capacity (p<0.05), lower drip loss (p<0.05) and lower shear force (p<0.07) with higher overall acceptability (p<0.05) in sensory evaluation. Morphological observations demonstrated smooth and gummy meat surface due to the solubilization of myofibrillar proteins and the distortion of connective tissue in treated raw meats; and in the case of cooked meat, treatment caused the fragmentation of myofibrils, which might be responsible for a lower shear value in salt-bicarbonate treated beef biceps femoris muscle.

• Mycobiology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2008

Minimal growth inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of chitosan acetate (M.W. 60 kDa) on heterotrophic bacteria (strains MK1, S, and R) isolated from the soft-rotten tissues of Neungee mushroom (Sarcodon aspratus) were measured. The slimy substance produced by the MK1 strain was responsible for the diseased mushroom’s appearance. The S and R strains were members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. These strains showed different levels of susceptibility toward chitosan acetate. The MIC of chitosan acetate against the MK1 and S strains was 0.06%. The MIC against the R strain was greater than 0.10%. Survival fractions of the MK1 and S strains at the MIC were $3\;{\times}\;10^{-4}$ and $1.4\;{\times}\;10^{-3}$ after 24 h, and $2\;{\times}\;10^{-4}$ and $7\;{\times}\;10^{-4}$ after 48 h, respectively. Survival fractions of the R strain after 24 and 48 hr at 0.1% chitosan acetate were $1\;{\times}\;10^{-2}$ and $6.9\;{\times}\;10^{-3}$, respectively. Compared to the MK1 and S strains, the low susceptibility of the R stain towards chitosan acetate could be due to the ability of the R strain to utilize chitosan as a carbon source. Thirty-eight percent of Neungee pieces treated in a 0.06% chitosan acetate solution for $2{\sim}3$ second did not show any bacterial growth at 4 days, whereas bacterial growth around untreated mushroom pieces occurred within 2 days. These data suggest that chitosan acetate is highly effective in controlling growth of indigenous microorganisms on Neungee. The scanning electron micrographs of the MK1 strain treated with chitosan revealed a higher degree of disintegrated and distorted cellular structures.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.446-450
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• 2015

Purpose: Meningitis is among the most common infections affecting the central nervous system. It can be difficult to determine the exact pathogen responsible for the infection and patients are often treated with empiric antibiotics. This study was conducted to identify the most common clinical characteristics of enteroviral meningitis in children and evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for early detection of an enterovirus. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of children admitted to Korea University Medical Center and diagnosed with meningitis on the basis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and RT-PCR from CSF and other samples from January 2010 to August 2013. Results: A total of 333 patients were enrolled and classified into four groups based on diagnosis: enteroviral meningitis (n=110), bacterial meningitis (n=23), other viral meningitis (n=36), and unknown etiology (n=164). Patients with bacterial meningitis were younger than those in the other groups (P<0.001). Pleocytosis in CSF was similar across all groups. Of patients in the enteroviral meningitis group, 92.7% were diagnosed based on RT-PCR findings. Mean length of hospital stay for patients with enteroviral meningitis was 6.08 days, which was significantly shorter than that for patients with meningitis of bacterial etiology (19.73 days, P<0.001). Conclusion: Diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis before viral culture results are available is possible using RT-PCR. Accurate diagnosis reduces the length of hospital stay and helps to avoid unnecessary empiric antibiotic treatment.