• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.266-269
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• 2016

Cell-free fetal RNA is useful to determine fetal sex and detect other inherent genetic disorders. However, non-invasive fetal sex determination methods using fetal RNA from maternal plasma is not yet well established in studies pertaining to bovine animals. Thus, the aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the presence of the male-specific ZRSR2Y gene transcript in maternal plasma using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assays, and to verify its accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in determining fetal sex between 30 and 100 days of gestation. Overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the ZRSR2Y gene transcripts in determining fetal sex were 89.1%, 86.3%, and 100%, respectively. The 30 to 100 days of gestation were further classified into five stages of gestation, and each stage had relatively high accurate, sensitive, and specific results. Overall, these results indicate that the expression of the ZRSR2Y gene can be used for fetal sex determination in bovine animals using circulating cell-free RNA in maternal plasma during early pregnancy.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.155-160
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated primary biocompatibility and osteogenic gene expression of porous granular BCP bone substitutes with or without strontium (Sr) doping. In vitro biocompatibility was investigated on fibroblasts like L929 cells and osteoblasts like MG-63 cells using a cell viability assay (MTT) and one cell morphological observation by SEM, respectively. MTT results showed a cell viability percent of L929 fibroblasts, which was higher in Sr-BCP granules (98-101%) than in the non-doped granules (92-96%, p < 0.05). Osteoblasts like MG-63 cells were also found to proliferate better on Sr-doped BCP granules (01-111%) than on the non-doped ones (92-99%, p < 0.05) using an MTT assay. As compared with pure BCP granules, SEM images of MG-63 cells grown on sample surfaces confirmed that cellular spreading, adhesion and proliferation were facilitated by Sr doping on BCP. Active filopodial growth of MG-63 cells was also observed on Sr-doped BCP granules. The cells on Sr-doped BCP granules were well attached and spread out. Gene expression of osteonectin, osteopontin and osteoprotegrin were also evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which showed that the mRNA phenotypes of these genes were well maintained and expressed in Sr-doped BCP granules. These results suggest that Sr doping in a porous BCP granule can potentially enhance the biocompatibility and bone ingrowth capability of BCP biomaterials.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate immune regulatory effects of the pharmacopuncture with MOK on hyperthyroid rats. Methods : The experimental hyperthyroidism was prepared by the intraperitoneal injection of L-thyroxine(LT4, 0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 2 weeks in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. The pharmacopuncture with MOK extract(MOK pharmacopuncture) at doses of 0.3 or 3 mg/kg was injected on acupuncture points in the thyroid glands of hyperthyroid rats once a day for 2 weeks. Propylthiouracil(PTU, 10 mg/kg) as a reference group was subcutaneously injected into the dorsal neck. We measured the levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 in the sera of rats using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA) and determined the expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, and Foxp3 in spleen tissues by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results : The treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture in hyperthyroid rats significantly decreased the serum levels of Th1 cytokine, $IFN-{\gamma}$(p<0.01 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU) and significantly increased the levels of Th2 cytokine, IL-4(p<0.05 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.001 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU) compared to control group. Also, the MOK pharmacopuncture significantly increased IL-4 expression(p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU), IL-10(p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.01 for PTU), and Foxp3(p<0.01 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg and p<0.01 for PTU) in spleen tissues of hyperthyroid rats compared to control group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that MOK pharmacopuncture can help to ameliorate the pathological progression of hyperthyroidism by regulation of the Th1/Th2 imbalance.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.632-640
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• 2021

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) causes severe economic loss in crop productivity of both agriculture and horticulture crops in Korea. The previous surveys showed that naturally available biopolymer material - chitosan (CS), which is from shrimp cells, reduced CMV accumulation on pepper. To improve the antiviral activity of CS, it was synthesized to form phosphate cross-linked chitosan (PCS) and compared with the original CS. Initially, the activity of CS and PCS (0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% concentration) compound against PMMoV infection and replication was tested using a half-leaf assay on Nicotiana glutinosa leaves. The total number of local lesions represented on a leaf of N. glutinosa were counted and analyzed with phosphate buffer treated leaves as a negative control. The leaves treated with a 0.1% concentration of CS or PCS compounds exhibited an inhibition effect by 40-75% compared with the control leaves. The same treatment significantly reduced about 40% CMV accumulation measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and increased the relative expression levels of the NPR1, PR-1, cysteine protease inhibitor gene, LOX, PAL, SRC2, CRF3 and ERF4 genes analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in chili pepper plants.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.216-222
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• 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is major cancer with high incidence and mortality worldwide. It is known that most CRCs arise from precursor adenomatous polyps (APs). Recently, microRNA (miRNA) has been proposed as a biomarker for various cancers including CRC. In this study, the expression patterns of miR-29a in the whole blood (WB) of CRC, AP, and control groups were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the expression level of miR-29a in patients with colorectal neoplasm (CRN) including CRC and AP. As a result, the relative expression of miR-29a was significantly decreased in the patients with CRN compared to the control group (P<0.001). The results were in agreement with previous in vitro cell studies and studies that used tissue and feces samples, suggesting that miR-29a in WB may be useful in demonstrating the status of colorectal tissue. Additionally, we divided the control group into healthy control (HC) without any colorectal symptoms and non-tumor control (NTC) with colorectal symptoms but without any CRN. And then the relative expression of miR-29a was also significantly decreased in the NTC group compared to the HC group (P<0.001). Therefore, our study revealed that miR-29a can differentiate patients with CRN from HC group, but they are also involved in the early stage of inflammatory response and cannot be specific biomarkers for CRN.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.323-331
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• 2005

남미지역에서 자생하는 Tabebuia avellanedae라는 나무의 수피에서 동정된 quinone계 물질이며, DNA topoisomeras억제제로 알려진 $\beta-lapachone$의 항암작용에 관한 부가적인 자료를 얻기 위하여 인체 간암(HepG2) 및 방광암(T24)세포를 대상으로 조사한 결과 다음과 같은 결과를 얻게 되었다. MTT assay 및 flow cytometry 분석 등의 결과에서, $\beta-lapachone$의 처리에 따라 조사된 두 가지 암세포에서 $\beta-lapachone$처리 농도의존적으로 암세포의 심한 형태적 변형이 동반되면서 암세포의 증식이 억제되었으며, 생존율이 저하되었고 이는 apoptosis유발과 상관성이 있음을 알 수 있었다. $\beta-lapachone$처리에 의한 두 암세포의 증식억제는 종양억제 유전자 p53 및 Cdk inhibitor p21의 발현과는 큰 연관성이 없음을 RT-PCR 및 Western blot analysis를 통하여 확인하였다. 그러나 전사조절인자 Sp-1 및 세포증식 주요조절인자인 PCNA의 단백질 발현은 $\beta-lapachone$처리에 따라 매우 감소되었으며, telomere조절에 중요한 인자들의 선택적 발현 저하 현상도 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과들은 인체 암세포에서 $\beta-lapachone$의 항암작용을 이해하는 중요한 자료가 될 것이며, $\beta-lapachone$과 유사한 화학적 구조 및 성질을 가지는 항암제 후보물질들의 항암기전 비교 및 항암제 개발을 위한 기초 자료로서 응용될 것이다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제60권6호
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• pp.663-672
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• 2006

연구배경: 미세먼지는 여러 가지 유기물과 무기물의 복합체로 그 구성 성분이 시간과 장소에 따라 다르고 모양과 크기도 일정하지 않으며, 특히 지름 $10{\mu}m$이하의 미세먼지 (particulate matter 10; $PM_{10}$)는 흡입이 가능한 입자의 크기여서 하부기관지 및 폐의 가스-교환부분까지 침착하여 호흡기계에 손상을 일으킬 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 황사에 포함된 $PM_{10}$과 비황사 시기에 포집된 $PM_{10}$이 폐상피세포주에 작용하여 전염증성 사이토카인(proinflammatory cytokine) 및 cytokine messenger RNA(mRNA)의 발현에 어떤 영향이 있는지를 관찰하여 기관지 천식과 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환등 호흡기 질환의 증상 악화기전에 미치는 역할을 규명하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 공기 포집기(HV 500F, sibata model)를 이용하여 황사와 비황사 기간에 하루 6시간씩 실외의 장소에서 대기분진을 membrane filter에 포집한 다음, $PM_{10}$입자를 추출하고 폐암 상피세포주인 A549 cells(한국세포은행주)에 $PM_{10}$을 농도에 맞게($10{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$, $500{\mu}g/ml$) 노출시켰다. 각각의 노출된 세포로부터 interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-8, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF)의 mRNA를 역전사중합효소연쇄반응(reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; RT-PCR) 방법으로 측정하였다. 결 과: 황사 및 비황사 기간 중 포집된 $PM_{10}$을 가했을 시 가하지 않은 대조군에 비하여 $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-8, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)의 m'RNA와 cytokine의 발현이 유의하게 높았으며, 황사 기간의 고농도의 $PM_{10}$에 노출된 세포의 $IL-1{\alpha}$ mRNA는 비황사 기간의 $PM_{10}$에 노출된 세포의 mRNA보다 증가되어 있었다. 결 론: $PM_{10}$은 A549 cells에서 전염증성 사이토카인의 발현을 증가시키고 비황사 기간보다 황사 기간 중 대기 중에서 채취한 $PM_{10}$에 노출된 A549 cells에서 일부의 전염증성 사이토카인의 mRNA발현을 더욱 증가시키는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 황사 기간의 $PM_{10}$에 의한 일부의 전염증성 사이토카인의 발현 증가가 만성 호흡기 질환의 증상 악화기전에 연관되어 있을 가능성을 시사하였다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.69-74
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• 2007

목 적 : 지금까지 코로나바이러스는 대부분 상기도 감염을 일으키며 임상적으로 큰 의미가 없는 것으로 여겨져 왔다. 하지만 최근에 발견된 코로나 바이러스인 hCoV-NL63와 hCoV-HKU1는 하부 호흡기 질환과의 연관성이 있는 것으로 보고되면서 임상적 의의에 대한 연구가 필요한 실정이다. 이에 저자들은 폐렴으로 입원한 소아 환자에서 최근에 발견된 hCoV-NL63과 hCoV-HKU1을 포함한 코로나바이러스 감염의 유병률을 알아보기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 2006년 3월부터 2007년 1월까지 폐렴으로 상계백병원에 입원한 소아에게서 비인두 흡인물을 수집하였다. Multiplex RT-PCR 방법을 이용하여 RSV, influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenzavirus 및 adenovirus 감염을 진단하였으며, F 유전자 시발체를 이용한 nested RT-PCR에 의해 hMPV 감염을 진단하였다. 코로나바이러스 감염을 진단하기 위해 hCoVNL63, hCoV-OC43, hCoV-229E 및 hCoV-HKU1에 각각 특이적 시발체를 이용하여 nested RT-PCR을 시행하였다. 결 과 : 총 217명의 입원한 15세 이하의 폐렴 환아에게서 수집한 비인두 흡인물에서 multiplex PCR 방법에 의해 RSV 양성은 32명, hMPV는 18명, parainfluenza virus는 10명, influenza virus A는 2명, adenovirus는 6명에서 양성이었다. RT-PCR에 의해 hMPV 양성은 18명에서 확인되었다. 코로나바이러스는 RT-PCR 방법에 의해 8명 (3.7%)에서 양성이었으며, hCoV-229E 1명, hCoV-NL63 3명, 그리고 hCoV-OC43가 4명에서 검출되었다. 하지만 hCoV- HKU1는 연구 대상군에서 검출되지 않았다. 결 론 : 아직 추가 연구가 필요하지만 최근에 발견된 hCoV-HKU1와 hCoV-NL63은 폐렴으로 입원한 국내 소아에서 임상적인 중요성이 적을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.41-51
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• 2008

Objectives : This study is to evaluate Effect of Inhibition Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor(MIF) activation by Hominis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture(HPA) on Rheumatic Arthritis(RA). Hominis Placenta is the placenta of healthy human, which is vital-strengthening medical stuff. In recent years, Hominis Placenta applied to chronic diseases because it makes us more resistance to diseases. Therefore it is supposed that HPA is effective on RA, a kind of autoimmune disease. When RA is induced, MIF is activated, too. MIF affects the process of inflammatory disease including RA. Methods : In order to investigate the effect of Hominis Placenta extraction on MIF(early RA inducing cytokine) and MMP(Matrix Metallo Proteinase)-9 mRNA expression by means of Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR). In this study, we investigated the effect of Hominis Placenta extraction on MIF(early RA inducing cytokine) and MMP-9 mRNA expression by means of RT-PCR. Besides we investigated changing of MIF in synovial membrane and, Interleukin-6 receptor(IL-6R)-$\alpha$(pro-inflammatory cytokine), Signal transducers and activators of transcription(STAT)-3, MMP-9 after treating mouse, which is artificially attacked with RA, with HPA on its $ST_{35}$, LE201 in vivo. Results : 1. As a result of treating Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated Raw246.7cell with HPA, MIF(RA related cytokine) and MMP-9 mRNA expression is reduced in vitro. And this reaction is concentration-dependatant. 2. In synovial membrane of the mice treated with HPA, inhibition of MIF, IL-6R-$\alpha$, STAT3 & MMP-9 activation is observed in vivo. Conclusions : From the above results, it might be suggested that HPA mitigate tissue damage originated from RA, because it intercepts the early process of by inhibition MIF activity.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.11-22
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• 2013

Objectives: The present investigation aimed at examining if post-cancer treatment with a potentized homeopathic drug, Condurango 30C, which is generally used to treat oesophageal cancer, could also show an ameliorating effect through apoptosis induction on lung cancer induced by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Methods: Lung cancer was induced after four months by chronic feeding of BaP to rats through gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for one month. After four months, the lung-cancer-bearing rats were treated with Condurango 30C for the next one ($5^{th}$), two ($5^{th}-6^{th}$) and three ($5^{th}-7^{th}$) months, respectively, and were sacrificed at the corresponding time-points. The ameliorating effect, if any, after Condurango 30C treatment for the various periods was evaluated by using protocols such as histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), annexinV-FITC/PI assay, flow cytometry of the apoptosis marker, DNA fragmentation, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and western blot analyses of lung tissue samples. Results: Striking recovery of lung tissue to a near normal status was noticed after post-cancerous drug treatment, as evidenced by SEM and histology, especially after one and two months of drug treatment. Data from the annexinV-FITC/PI and DNA fragmentation assays revealed that Condurango 30C could induce apoptosis in cancer cells after post-cancer treatment. A critical analysis of signalling cascade, evidenced through a RT-PCR study, demonstrated up-regulation and down-regulation of different pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, respectively, related to a caspase-3-mediated apoptotic pathway, which was especially discernible after one-month and two-month drug treatments. Correspondingly, Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the ameliorative potential of Condurango 30C by its ability to down-regulate the elevated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, a hallmark of lung cancer. Conclusion: The overall result validated a positive effect of Condurango 30C in ameliorating lung cancer through caspase-3-mediated apoptosis induction and EGFR down-regulation.