• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.102-102
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• 2002

Heparin-bindin epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) is one of the EGF family to be expressed at the time of implantation in the mouse uterus. Although HB-EGF has been shown to stimulate the development of embryo and uterus in the mouse, its correlation between cell adhesion molecules remains undefined. Integrin $\alpha$$_{ν}$$\beta$$_3$, one of the cell adhesion molecules, is an important mediator of cell-substratum and cell-cell adhesion in implantation. In the present studies, we investigated the effects of HB-EGF on the embryonic development, initiation of implantation and expression of integrin $\alpha$$_{ν}$$\beta$$_3$ in in vitro culture, blocking of HB-EGF, RT-PCR and immunofluores cence analysis. The results showed that HB-EGF significantly improved the developmental rate of hatched embryos (24.1%, p<0.01) and outgrowth embryos (42.5%, p<0.01). On the other hand, this growth factor showed no offset before the hatching embryonic stage. Analysis of RT-PCR showed that HB-EGF upregulated the expression level of integrina $\alpha$$_{ν}$$\beta$$_3$ subunit genes on the preimplantation embryo and outgrowth of blastocyst (120hr and 144hr after hCG injection). Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the integrin $\alpha$$_{ν}$$\beta$$_3$ subunits localized at the pericellular borders and cell-cell contact areas. Increase in fluorescence intensity was observed in the HB-EGF treated embryos. Intrauterine injection of an anti-HB-EGF antiserum at day 3 significantly decreased the number of implantation sites (14.4, p<0.01) and significantly increased the number of recovered embryos(6.4, p<0.05) at day 5. From these results, it imply that HB-EGF improve the embryo development and accelerated the expression of integrin $\alpha$$_{ν}$$\beta$$_3$ in the preimplantation mouse embryos.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.355-359
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• 1997

Leiomyomas, which are the commonest pelvic tumors in women, are originated from myometrial cells. Although the exact initial pathophysiologic event of the leiomyoma is not known, recent evidences suggested that the effects of sex steroid hormones in the process of tumor growth are mediated by local production of growth factors including epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II). If we look at the effects of other cytokines, it was suggested that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) may stimulate the proliferation of myometrial and leiomyomas cells. And it was reported that interferon-${\alpha}$ inhibit the action of bFGF. Therefore, we examined the effect of bFGF and interferon-${\alpha}$ on the proliferation of leiomyoma and myometrial cells. bFGF stimulated the myometrial and leiomyoma cells significantly at the concentration of 1ng/ml (p<0.05) and 5ng/ml (p<0.05). However, Interferon-${\alpha}$ inhibited the cell proliferation of myometrial and leiomyoma cells significantly at the concentration of 100U/ml (p<0.05) and 1000U/ml (p<0.05). And the stimulated effects of bFGF with the various concentration on the myometrial and leiomyoma cells ware inhibited by interferon-${\alpha}$ with 100U/ml. Therefore, we concluded that bFGF may stimulate the myometrial and leiomyoma cell proliferation and interferon-${\alpha}$ may inhibit the myometrial and leiomyoma cell proliferation through blocking the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.323-328
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• 1997

We have previously shown that chick muscle extracts contained at least 10 different ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCHs). In the present studies, one of the enzymes, called UCH-9, was purified by conventional chromatographic procedures using $^{125}l$-labeled ubiquitin-${\alpha}$NH-MHISPPEPESEEEEE HYC (Ub-PESTc) as a substrate. The purified enzyme behaved as a 27-kDa protein under both denaturing and nondenaturing conditions, suggesting that it consists of a single polypeptide chain. It was maximally active at pHs between 7 and 8.5, but showed little or no activity at pH below 6 and above 10. Lice other UCHs, its activity was strongly inhibited by sulfhydryl blocking reagents, such as iodoacetamide, and by Ub-aldehyde. In addition to Ub-PESTc, UCH-9 hydrolyzed Ub-aNH-protein extensions, including Ub-${\alpha}NH$-carboxyl extension protein of 80 amino acids and Ubo-${\alpha}NH$-dihydrofolate reductase. However, this enzyme was not capable of generating free Ub from mono-Ub-${\varepsilon}NH$-protein conjugates and from branched poly-Ub chains that are ligated to proteins through ${\varepsilon}NH$-isopeptide bonds. This enzyme neither could hydrolyze poly-His-tagged di-Ub. These results suggest that UCH-9 may play an important role in production of free Ub and ribosomal proteins from their conjugates.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Smilacis Chinae Radix has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent. This study was performed to anti-inflammatory and MAP kinase signaling pathway in vitro. Experimental studies were obtained by measuring the Cytotoxicity, production of NO, PGE2, TNF-$\alpha$ and protein level of catalase, SOD, MAP kinase, The results were summarized as follows: Smilacis Chinae Radix was not cytotoxic effects against Raw264.7 and HEK293 cells. Concentration of $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ Smilacis Chinae Radix inhibited the production of NO in the Raw264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. All concentrations of Smilacis Chinae Radix not significantly inhibited the production of PGE2 in the Raw264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. All concentrations of Smilacis Chinae Radix did not inhibit the production of TNF-$\alpha$ in the Raw264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. Smilacis Chinae Radix has not effect of blocking NF-${\kappa}B$ into nucleus in LPS-induced macrophage Raw264.7 cell. Smilacis Chinae Radix has the effect of Cytoprotection through activation of ERK and inhibition of p38 and JNK. Accordingly the results show Smilacis Chinae Radix could induce anti-inflammation and Cytoprotection effects against In vitro, but it needs more research on the precise mechanism of such effects.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 1999

The studies on the adsorption properties and the antibacterial effects of the Cd and Cu-treated activated carbon were carried out. From the adsorption studies on the series of these metal-treated activated carbons, typical Type-I isotherm was observed. The surface areas of the treated carbon obtained from BET equation were in the range of $1101-1418m^2/g$ for Cd-AC and of $1084-1361m^2/g$ for Cu-AC. Using ${\alpha}_s$-plot, the micropore volumes and pore size distribution were obtained. From the SEM study, it is also observed that many of micropores in activated carbon are blocked by window blocking effect of metals after the impregnation. Finally, antibacterial effects of M-activated carbon against Escherichia coli was discussed. From the study, the area of antibacterial activity becomes larger with the increase of the amount of metal treated.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2011

ZAS3 is a large zinc finger transcription repressor that binds the ${\kappa}B$-motif via two signature domains of ZASN and ZASC. A loss-of-function study showed that lack of ZAS3 protein induced accelerated cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Conversely, gain-of-function studies showed that ZAS3 repressed $NF{\kappa}B$-activated transcription by competing with $NF{\kappa}B$ for the ${\kappa}B$-motif. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that ZAS3 promotes apoptosis by interrupting anti-apoptotic activity of $NF{\kappa}B$. Here, we present evidence that upon $TNF{\alpha}$ stimulation, ZAS3 inhibits $NF{\kappa}B$-mediated cell survival and promotes caspase-mediated apoptosis. The inhibitory effect of ZAS3 on $NF{\kappa}B$ activity is mediated by neither direct association with $NF{\kappa}B$ nor disrupting nuclear localization of $NF{\kappa}B$. Instead, ZAS3 repressed the expression of two key anti-apoptotic genes of $NF{\kappa}B$, TRAF1 and TRAF2, thereby sensitizing cells to $TNF{\alpha}$-induced cell death. Taken together, our data suggest that ZAS3 is a tumor suppressor gene and therefore serves as a novel therapeutic target for developing anti-cancer drugs.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.319-326
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• 2005

It is well known that oxidative stress of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be a causative factor in the pathenogenesis of bone disorder on osteoblast or osteoclast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of oxidative stress, protective effect of glutamate receptor antagoinst against ROS-induced osteotoxicity, secretion of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ and the expression of c-fos gene in the cultured rat osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Cell viability by MTS assay or !NT assay, activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxidation (LPO) activity, protein synthesis by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, MTS assay for NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist or AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, measurement for $TNF-\alpha$, and c-fos gene expression were performed after these cells were treated with or without various cocentrations of xanthine oxidase (XO), hypoxanthine (HX), D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), 7-chlorokynurenic acid (CKA), 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), respectively. In this study, XO/HX showed decreased cell viability and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, but it showed increased LPO activity, $TNF-\alpha$ secretion and c-fos expression. APV and CKA incresed protein sythesis and ALP activity. While, CNQX or DNQX did not show any protective effect in LDH activity or cell viability. From these results, XO/HX showed cytotoxic effect in cultured rat osteoblast or osteoclast, and also NMDA receptor antagonist such as APV or CKA was effective in blocking XO/HX-induced osteotoxicity in these cultures.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.225-229
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• 1998

The purpose of the current study was comparative analysis of autonomic and electrocortical responses to passive and active touch of the tektites with different subjective emotional preference. Perspective goal of the project is development of a template for classification of tactile stimuli according to subjective comfort and associated physiological manifestations. The study was carried out on 36 female college students. Physiological signals were acquired by Grass and B10PAC 100 systems with AcqKnowledge III software. Frontal, parietal and occipital EEG (relative power spectrum /percents/ of EEG bands - delta, theta, slow and fast alpha, low and fast beta), and autonomic variables, namely heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), pulse transit time (PTT), respiration rate (RSP) and skin conductance parameters (SCL, amplitude, rise time and number of SCRs) were analyzed for rest baseline and stimulation conditions. Analysis of the overall pattern of reaction indicated that autonomic response to tactile stimulation was manifested in a form of moderate HR acceleration, RSP increase, RSA decrease (lowered vagal tone), decreased n and increased electrodermal activity (increased SCL, several SCRs) that reflects general sympathetic activation. Parietal EEG effects (on contra-lateral side to stimulated hand) were featured by short-term alpha-blocking, slightly reduced theta and significantly increased delta and enhanced fast beta activity with few variations across stimuli. The main finding of the study was that most and least preferred textures exhibited significant differences in autonomic (HR, RSP, PTT, SCR, and at less extent in RSA and SCL) and electrocortical responses (delta, slow and fast alpha, fast beta relative power). These differences were recorded both in passive and active stimulation modes, thus demonstrating reproducibility of distinction between most and least emotionally preferred tactile stimuli, suggesting influence of psychological factors, such as emotional property of stimulus, on physiological outcome. Nevertheless, development of sufficiently sensitive .and reliable template for classification of emotional responses to tactile stimulation based on physiological response pattern may require more extensive empirical database.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2010

In the present study, the chemical constituents of Artemisia fukudo essential oil (AFE) were investigated using GC-MS. The major constituents were ${\alpha}$-thujone (40.28%), ${\beta}$-thujone (12.69%), camphor (6.95%) and caryophyllene (6.01%). We also examined the effects of AFE on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-IL-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses indicated that AFE has potent dose-dependent inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators. We investigated the mechanism by which AFE inhibits NO and $PGE_2$ by examining the level of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$: p50 and p65) activation within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK: ERK, JNK and p38) pathway, which is an inflammation induced signal pathway in RAW 264.7 cells. AFE inhibited LPS-induced ERK, JNK and p38 phosphorylation. Furthermore, AFE inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, which is required for the nuclear translocations of the p50 and p65 NF-${\kappa}B$ subunits in RAW 264.7 cells. Our results suggest that AFE might exert an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such an effect is mediated by a blocking of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation which consequently inhibits the generation of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells. AFE may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.67-67
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• 2019

Vaccinium oldhamii (V. oldhamii) has been reported to exert a variety of the pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidant activity, anti-cancer activity, and inhibitory activity of ${\alpha}$-amylase and acetylcholinesterase. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of V. oldhamii has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of the stem extracts from V. oldhamii, and to elucidate the potential mechanisms in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among VOS, VOL and VOF, the inhibitory effect of NO and PGE2 production induced by LPS was highest in VOS treatment. Thus, VOS was selected for the further study. VOS dose-dependently blocked LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression, respectively. VOS inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. In addition, VOS suppressed TRAP activity and attenuated the expression of the osteoclast-specific genes such as NFATc1, c-FOS, TRAP, MMP-9, cathepsin K, CA2, OSCAR and ATPv06d2. VOS inhibited LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling activation through blocking $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation and p65 nuclear accumulation. VOS inhibited MAPK signaling activation by attenuating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK. Furthermore, VOS inhibited ATF2 phosphorylation and blocked ATF2 nuclear accumulation. From these findings, VOS has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for the inflammatory diseases.