• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1 s.89
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• pp.9-22
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• 2000

The decomposition processes of Microcystis aeruginosa under the light and dark conditions were investigated in relation to the change of microcystins, physicochemical and biological factors. Cyanobacterial cells from upper stream of Lake Dae-chong were collected and incubated in the matrix of raw water under the light and dark conditions without additional nutrients. The decomposition of Microcystis cells started from beginning of the experiment and most of the cells were decomposed on 12th day. Under the light condition the concentration of toxins in filtrate fractionwas increased with the increase of viscosity as the decomposition of algal cells proceed whereas no significant change was observed under the dark condition. Microcystin- RR was most labile toxin than the other two microcystins because it was identified mainly in lyophilized cells but detected at trace level in the filtratefraction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.46-61
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• 2017

Objectives : Allergic contact dermatitis(ACD) is a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction that results from cumulative exposures and subsequent sensitization to an environmental chemical. Lonicerae Caulis(LC) can clear away heat and relieve toxin, disperse wind and heat, dredge the channel. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of LC on allergic contact dermatitis(ACD) induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB) in mice. Methods : In this experiment, the effects of LC on changes in body weights, ear and dorsum skin thicknesses, ear weights, clinical aspects on the dorsum skin, histopathological changes, spleen/body ratio, cytokines were investigated. In addition, the effects on proliferations of splenocytes were also investigated in vitro and vivo study. Results : LC spread(SPR) group and LC spread and administered(SPR+ADM) group showed diminished ear thicknesses. In SPR+ADM group, ear weights were lowered significantly compared to contact dermatitis control(CTL) group. LC treatment diminished erythema, desquamation and keratosis which were induced by repeated painting of DNCB. In histopathological observation, spongiosis and edema were diminished in SPR and SPR+ADM group. In cytokines, SPR+ADM group were increased in IL-10, and SPR and SPR+ADM group were decreased in TNF-${\alpha}$ compared with control group. Conclusions : These data suggest that LC can decrease symptoms of ACD, then LC is useful to treat patient with ACD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

목적 : 이 연구는 Vipera lebetina turanica의 사독약침파(蛇毒藥鍼波)(Snake venom toxin, SVT)이 in vitro에서 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성억제와 apoptosis 관련 단백질의 발현 조절을 통하여 세포자멸사(Apoptosis)를 유도하는지 in vivo에서 또한 전립선 암세포주인 PC-3 세포의 성장을 억제하는지 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : SVT를 처리한 후 PC-3의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 WST-1 assay, CCK-8 assay를 시행하였고，Apoptosis evaluation에는 DAPI, TUNEL staining assay를 시행하였으며，Apoptosis regulatory proteins의 변화 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고，apoptosis와 연관된 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA시행하였으며，SVT의 핵내이동을 관찰하기 위해 Immunofluorescence Staining, Confocal immunocytochemistry를 시행하였으며，전립암세포의 종양형성에는 흉선을 제거한 쥐에 Tumorigenecity study를 시행하였다. 결과 : PC-3 세포에 SVT를 처리한 후，전립선 암세포의 성장，Apoptosis의 유발，Apoptosis관련 단백질의 발현，$NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성，SVT의 PC-3세포 핵내 이동여부 및 흉선제거 후 PC-3 세포를 이식한 쥐의 종양형성과정에 미치는 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. PC-3 세포에서 SVT를 처리한 후 세포성장이 억제되고，세포자멸사가 유도되며，조절인자인 p53, caspase-3, -9는 증가되었고，Bcl-2는 감소되었다. 2. PC-3 세포에서 SVT를 처리한 후 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성이 유의하게 감소되었다. 3. DAPI로 염색된 상태에서 SVT가 PC-3 세포의 핵내로 이통되는 것이 관찰되었다. 4. 흉선제거 후 전립선 암세포주를 이식한 쥐에서 SVT를 피내로 주입한 결과 전립선암의 크기와 무게가 유의하게 감소하였다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 SVT가 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성 억제를 통하여 인간 전립선암세포주인 PC-3의 세포자멸사를 유발함으로써 증식억제 효과가 있음을 입증한 것이며，이를 재확인한 생체 연구에서의 긍정적인 결과는 향후 SVT의 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 대한 효과적인 치료제 개발에 초석이 될 것으로 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 1971

Escherichiae-like organisms were isolated from rectal specimens of 56 children who were either in preschool age or in elementary school. The isolated strains were subjected to tests to screen enteropathogens producing heat-labile enterotoxin and susceptibility test to various antibiotics by disc diffusion method on agar plates. Production of heat-labile enterotoxin by the strains was assyed in the sensitive and reproducible cultured adrenal tumor cell system. The assay was sterodogenesis of the cell in the presence of heat-labile enterotoxin. Among 56 strains, gave positive reaction in the test of toxin production. This meant that about 10% of the children population objected to the study harbored the toxigenic strain of enteropathogenes. Some of these toxigenic strains were resistant to the antibiotics employed in the test. This study suggested that considerable population in Korea may harbor entertoxigenic E. coli as a part of intestinal normal flora. The toxigenic strains which are resistant to antibiotics may bring issue of public health in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.339-348
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activations of neck, trunk and leg in cerebral palsy of spastic diplegia with genu recurvatum and knee flexion contracture, when using anterior and posterior walkers. Methods : We selected 21 cerebral palsy and received the written consent to participate in this study. The inclusion criteria for participation required patients to have spastic diplegic CP; to be between 3~6 years of age, to have a GMFCS III grade, to have no botulinum toxin injection and orthopedics surgery within before six months starting the study. Measurements of muscle activities (sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, rectus abdominis, erector spinea, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, medial hamstring and calf muscles) were evaluated anterior and posterior walker ambulations. Statistical evaluation of these data were accomplished by utilizing the paired t-test and independent t-test by SPSS 20.0 program. Significance level was set at p<.05. Results : The following results were obtained. There was significant difference on muscle activation of neck, trunk and legs(soleus except) in anterior and posterior walkers. There was no significant difference in muscle activation of neck but significant difference in muscle activation of trunk, legs between genu recurvatum and knee flexion contracture(rectus abdominis, medial hamstring when using anterior walker, rectus abdominis, erector spinea, gluteus maximus, medial hamstring when using posterior walker). Conclusion : The conclusion of this study is the different knee joint forms would have different effect on muscle activation of trunk and legs while cerebral palsy of spastic diplegic ambulated with anterior walker and posterior walker.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.7 no.2_3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cell proliferating and interleukin-2 producing activity of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by gamma-irradiation. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B was gamma-irradiated with the various doses of 0, 2, 20 and 50 kGy. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that gamma-irradiation caused the sharp decrease of the content of staphylococcal enterotoxin B and the effect was irradiating dose-dependent. Non-irradiated staphylococcal enterotoxin B increased the cell proliferation of splenocytes isolated from female Balb/c mouse, whereas 2 kGy-irradiated toxin significantly decreased the activity. 20 and 50 kGy-irradiated staphylococcal enterotoxin B was no effect. A similar effect on the interleukin-2 production of mouse splenocytes was observed with non-irradiated and irradiated staphylococcal enterotoxin B. It was considered to be due to the decrease of the antigenicity of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by gamma-irradiation. Therefore, these results suggest that gamma-irradiation can be effective for the decrease of the antigenicity of staphylococcal enterotoxin B as superantigen.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.146-155
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• 2019

Background/Aims: Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin and an important causative factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease. Recently, paricalcitol (19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2) was shown to exhibit protective effects in kidney injury. Here, we investigated the effects of paricalcitol treatment on IS-induced renal tubular injury. Methods: The fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate was used to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) following IS administration in human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells. The effects of IS on cell viability were determined using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays and levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2-associated protein X [Bax] and B-cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl-2]), nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65, and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) were determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting. The promoter activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ was measured by luciferase assays and apoptosis was determined by f low cytometry of cells stained with f luorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Annexin V protein. Results: IS treatment increased ROS production, decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. IS treatment increased the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and activated phosphorylation of MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, and Akt. In contrast, paricalcitol treatment decreased Bax expression, increased Bcl-2 expression, and inhibited phosphorylation of MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, and Akt in HK-2 cells. $NF-{\kappa}B$ promoter activity was increased following IS, administration and was counteracted by pretreatment with paricalcitol. Additionally, flow cytometry analysis revealed that IS-induced apoptosis was attenuated by paricalcitol treatment, which resulted in decreased numbers of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Annexin V positive cells. Conclusions: Treatment with paricalcitol inhibited IS-induced apoptosis by regulating MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Akt signaling pathway in HK-2 cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.309-318
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• 2020

Besides respiratory infection, COVID-19 has many neurological symptoms not only loss of smell and taste but also fatigue and brain fog. But it is a challenge to treat the neurological symptoms especially of anosmia and ageusia. In order to search for the therapeutic methods, the geographical diversity and pathological mechanisms of the COVID-19 and two symptoms were investigated from the latest clinical studies. Because the environmental conditions of the monsoon climate zone of East Asia and the Mediterranean and Oceanic climate zone of Italy, Britain, United States and tropical Brazil are different, each of diverse etiology and internal milieu should be considered differently in the treatment. SARS-CoV-2 exhibits the dampness-like characteristics and the olfactory and gustatory disorders are particularly more common than other flu or cold. and it tends to show features of damaging the lung qi of olfaction and heart-spleen qi of gustation. The mechanisms of olfactory and gustatory loss are various according to precursory, inflammatory, non-inflammatory and sequelar forms, so the therapeutic method should be designed for each period and pathology. If the process of inflammation arises from nasal and respiratory, olfactory epithelium to the central nervous structure by way of blood brain barrier, the treatment should be corresponded with the stage and depth of pathogen place. And if the olfactory loss is asymptomatic or in the initial stage, it can be applied intranasal topical scent therapy to relieve temporary locking of qi movement, but maybe also used in parallel together with herbs of relieving dampness toxin latent in the lung parenchyma.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2020

A variety of shellfish species sold for human consumption are available for purchase in the domestic fish market. The microalgae families inhabit the ocean, where planktons supply the main nutritional resource for the growth of shellfish. Some phytoplanktons produce toxic compounds that are accumulated in shellfish and ultimately cause toxicity in humans. This article reports the cytotoxicity of commercially available shellfish species. Accordingly, hot water extract (HWE) and an aqueous fraction of 50% methanol extract (MEE-AF) showed no significant cytotoxicity on the two cell lines (i.e., HL-60 and Vero cell lines), but 50% methanol extract (MEE) in 3, 6 samples showed 50% cytotoxic effects on HL-60 cells, and 1, 4 samples showed 40%, 20% cytotoxic effects on Vero cells, respectively. In addition, their consequential dichloromethane fractions (MEE-DF) exhibited significant toxicities at the highest concentration (1,000 ㎍/ml) on HL-60 and Vero cells. Since the shellfish samples showed cytotoxicity in the dichloromethane fraction, it is possible that the dichloromethane fraction contains marine toxins. Further research will be needed to identify the toxic components from each sample.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for acute pharyngitis. Methods : 2 databases(Wangfang Med Online, CNKI) were used to search Randomized Controlled Trials(RCTs) that used herbal medicine treatment for acute pharyngitis, which were published from January 2007 until April 2024. Results : 9 RCTs were selected in this study, and all studies compared herbal medicine alone treatment with western medicine alone treatment. The most frequently used medicine was Toxin-removing medicinal(淸熱解毒藥). Platycodonis Radix(桔梗) was the most frequently used herb. Meta-analysis of nine studies showed that the Total Effective Rate(TER) of treatment group was statistically higher than that of control group(RR:1.12, 95% CI:1.06 to 1.19, p<0.00001, I²=22%). Meta-analysis of 3 studies showed that the total symptom score of treatment group statistically improved than that of control group(MD: -1.00, 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.71, p<0.00001, I²=0%). Mild adverse events such as anorexia were identified in 4 RCTs, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion : Using herbal medicine alone can be more effective and safe in improving acute pharyngitis than using western medicine. But further well-designed studies are needed because heterogeneity between studies existed and the quality of the reports needs to be improved.