• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.543-551
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• 2016

This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. methanol extract (VBME) on microglial activation and to identify the underlying mechanisms of action of these effects. The anti-inflammatory properties of VBME were studied using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. We measured the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory parameters. We also examined the effect of VBME on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-${\kappa}B$ p65). VBME significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and $PGE_2$ and LPS-mediated upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner; importantly, VBME was not cytotoxic. VBME also significantly reduced the generation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. In addition, VBME significantly dampened intracellular ROS production and suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 translocation by blocking $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and degradation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Our findings indicate that VBME inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in BV-2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling. Thus, VBME may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory mediator production in activated BV-2 microglial cells.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.797-805
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• 2013

The varying characteristics between Korean's commercial and traditional soy sauces may be initiated by raw materials and fermentation techniques such as the koji and mezu process. We have examined properties of polysaccharides isolated from two different soy sauces which were made by the commercial process (CSP-0) and the traditional Korean process (KTSP-0) as well as their macrophage activities. Two polysaccharides have not effected the RAW 264.7 cells viability. The effects of CSP-0 and KTSP-0 on RAW 264.7 cells were demonstrated by the production of nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The CSP-0 and KTSP-0 significantly augmented NO and ROS productions by RAW 264.7 cells under a dose dependent manner. However, the activity of KTSP-0 was more potent than that of the CSP-0 at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The productions of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA. mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ by KTSP-0 at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ indicated 63 and 71 times higher than negative controls, respectively. Also, the production of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ by KTSP-0 at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ showed 32.1 and 4.5 times higher than those by the CSP-0. To assess phagocytosis activities, the effects of CSP-0 and KTSP-0 on mRNA expression of Fc receptor I and II (FcR I, II) are being determined by RT-PCR products. Only the KTSP-0 showed enhanced expressions of mRNA expression for FcR I in a dose dependent manner, whereas the CSP-0 did not affect either the FcR I or II expressions. The above data lead us to conclude that the macrophage activations of Korean traditional soy sauce polysaccharide are higher than that of the commercial soy sauce polysaccharide.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2014

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bonding properties of denture bases to silicone-based soft denture liners immersed in isobutyl methacrylate (iBMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) for various lengths of time. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) test specimens were fabricated (75 mm in length, 12 mm in diameter at the thickest section, and 7 mm at the thinnest section) and then randomly assigned to five groups (n=15); untreated (Group 1), resilient liner immersed in iBMA for 1 minute (Group 2), resilient liner immersed in iBMA for 3 minutes (Group 3), resilient liner immersed in HEMA for 1 minute (Group 4), and resilient liner immersed in HEMA for 3 minutes (Group 5). The resilient liner specimens were processed between 2 PMMA blocks. Bonding strength of the liners to PMMA was compared by tensile test with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Data were evaluated by 1-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons tests (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. The highest mean value of force was observed in Group 3 specimens. The differences between groups were statistically significant (P<.05), except between Group 1 and Group 4 (P=.063). CONCLUSION. Immersion of silicone-based soft denture liners in iBMA for 3 minutes doubled the tensile bond strength between the silicone soft liner and PMMA denture base materials compared to the control group.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 1995

The magnetic properties of an $Fe_{87}Zr_{7}B_{5}Ag_{1}$(at.%) amorphous alloy have been investigated as a function of annealing temperatures to clarify its application potential as a core material for high-frequency use by adding a small amount of insoluble element of Ag. A new excellent soft magnetic material was developed. The amorphous alloy produced by relatively low temperature annealing at $T_{a}=400^{\circ}C$ exhibited very high initial permeability$(\mu_{i})$ of 288,000 at 1kHz and 2mOe, very low coercivity$(H_{c})$ of 15mOe and low core loss$(W_{c})$ of 50W/kg at 100kHz and 1,000G which is comparable with Co-based amorphous alloys, respectively. It is notable that the values obtained in the present study are the best magnetic properties among various kinds of Fe-based soft amorphous materials reported up to date. The reasons for the achievement of good soft magnetic properties are presumably due to the homogeneous formation of very fine $\alpha$-Fe clusters with the size of 2~3nm in an amorphous matrix, which can be deduced from the increase of resistivity and the TEM observation. The very fine $\alpha$-Fe clusters embedded in an amorphous matrix had a great influence on reduction of magnetostriction and refinement of magnetic domain.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2002

Objective: Lectins are cell-agglutinating and sugar specific proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that precipitate glycoconjugates having saccharides of appropriate complementarity. Because of these properties, plant lectins have been used to help characterize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in the zona pellucida (ZP) of several mammalian species including pigs. Treatment of oocytes with various lectins blocks sperm binding to the ZP in various mammalian species. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of sugar residues in the ZP of pig oocytes matured in vitro and the ability of spermatozoa to bind to ZP and in vitro penetration in oocytes treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. Materials and Methods: The lectins of Banderiaea simplicifolia (BS-II, bind to $\beta$-D-N-acetylglucosamine), Canavalin ensiformis (Con A, bind to $\alpha$-D-Mannose), Lens culinaris (LCA, bind to a-D-Mannose), Ricinus communis (RCA-I, bind to $\beta$-D-Galactose) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I, bind to $\alpha$-L-Fucose) were examined for spermatozoa penetration, binding capacity to ZP and distribution of lectins. Results: The penetration rates were significantry (p<0.05) higher in control oocytes (63%) than those treated with all lectins, but penetration rates ($40{\sim}49%$) were simililar in group treated with lectins. The incidence of monospermy was similar in oocytes untreated and UEA-I, but it was higher in oocytes treated with BS-II, Con A, RCA-I and LCA. The porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h in TC-199 medium were freed from cumulus cells and treated for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled lectins. When examined under fluorescein illumination, higher (p<0.001) proportions of oocytes showed fluorescein of zona pellucida after treatment with Con A (93%), LCA (93%) and RCA-I (100%) than BS-II (37%) and UEA-I (50%). All of the oocytes treated with RCA-I exhibited strong fluorescein in the outer region of the zona pellucida while those treated with LCA exhibited strong fluorescein throughout the zona pellucida. BS-II bounded mainly to the outer region and UEA-I bounded mainly to the inner region of the zona pellucida, with either strong or weak fluorescein. At 120 min after insemination in vitro, fewer spermatozoa were bound to the zona pellucida of the oocytes treated with BS-II, Con-A and RCA-I. Of the lectins, Con A most inhibited sperm binding. Conclusions: These results suggest that $\beta$-D-Galactose residues in the porcine zona pellucida may act as primary sperm receptors and inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction and these sugar residues may be involved in the block to polyspermy.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.515-521
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• 2001

출발 물질로서 L $i_2$C $O_3$, NiC $O_3$, CoC $O_3$를 사용하고 조성과 합성 온도를 변화시켜, 고온 고상법에 의하여 LiN $i_{1-y}$ $Co_{y}$ $O_2$(y=0.1, 0.3, 0.5)를 합성하였다. 합성과 시료들의 결정구조, 미세구조 그리고 전기화학적 특성을 조사하였다. 80$0^{\circ}C$와 8$50^{\circ}C$에서 제조한 L $i_{x}$N $i_{1-y}$ $Co_{y}$ $O_2$는, 삼방정계(space group: R3m)의 $\alpha$-NaFe $O_2$구조로 결정화되어 있는 층상 구조를 형성하였다. LiN $i_{1-y}$ $Co_{y}$ $O_2$(y=0.1, 0.3, 0.5)는 Co의 양이 증가함에 따라 a축과 c축의 크기가 감소하였는데, 이는 코발트 이온의 크기가 니켈 이온의 크기보다 작은데 기인하는 것이다. 그러나 c축과 a축의 크기의 비(c/a)가 증가하였음은 이차원적 구조가 잘 발달됨을 보여준다. 니켈에 대한 코발트의 치환량에 따른 리튬 이온의 삽입/추출 가역성은 코발트의 치환량이 증가하면서 증가하여 y=0.3인 LiN $i_{0.9}$ $Co_{0.1}$ $O_2$에서 대체로 우수하였고 그 이상으로 y값이 증가하면 가역성이 나빠졌다. 80$0^{\circ}C$에서 합성한 LiN $i_{0.9}$ $Co_{0.1}$ $O_2$가 가장 큰 초기 방전 용량 146 mAh/g을 나타내었으며, 싸이클링 성능도 비교적 우수하였다. 8$50^{\circ}C$에서 합성한 LiN $i_{0.9}$ $Co_{0.1}$ $O_2$와 LiN $i_{0.7}$ $Co_{0.3}$ $O_2$가 우수한 싸이클링 성능을 보였다.다. 싸이클링 성능을 보였다.다.보였다.다.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammorty properties of herbs via MAPKs such as ERK, p38, JNK. Fifty-one kinds of each herbal medicine, that were extracted with ethanol, were used in the inhibitory assay of cytokine (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6) and NO. of these, 10 species of herbal medicines, Angelica dahurica, Atractylodes lancea, Cnidium officinale, Duchesnea chrysantha, Oldenlandia diffusa, Lonicera japonica, Paeonia lactiflora, Pinus thunbergii, Rehmannia glutinosa and Rubus coreanus, were screened as potential inhibitors (< $300{\mu}g/mL$) of NO, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. Among the 10 species, Lonicera japonica showed potential anti-inflammatory effects Lonicera japonica extract of $200{\mu}g/mL$ inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK. In addition, Lonicera japonica extract at 20 mg/kg increased survival rate from LPS-induced endotoxin shock by 3 fold.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.583-589
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• 2008

In the present study, we investigated whether rosmarinic acid, which has been suggested to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, can suppress the expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-$1{\alpha}$ ($MIP-1{\alpha}$) via the MAPK pathway in LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 in media. The effects of rosmarinic acid were investigated in BMDCs with respect to the following; cytotoxicity, surface molecule expression, dextran-FITC uptake, cell migration, chemokine gene expression, and the MAPK signaling pathway. Rosmarinic acid was found to significantly inhibit the expressions of CD80, CD86, MHC class I, and MHC class II in LPS-stimulated mature BMDCs, and rosmarinic acid-treated BMDCs were found to be highly efficient with regards to antigen capture via mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis. In addition, rosmarinic acid reduced cell migration by inducing the expression of a specific chemokine receptor on LPS-induced mature BMDCs. Rosmarinic acid also significantly reduced the expressions of MCP-1 and $MIP-1{\alpha}$ induced by LPS in BMDCs and inhibited LPS-induced activation of MAPK and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. These findings broaden current perspectives concerning our understanding of the immunopharmacological functions of rosmarinic acid, and have ramifications that concern the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of DC-related acute and chronic diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2010

The seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (RSL) and Phaseolus calcaratus Roxburgh (PHCR), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), and the flower of Lonicera japonica (LJ) have been traditionally used as herbal medicines for anti-inflammation. Unlike the SB and LJ, little information is available for the scientific bases that show the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of RSL and PHCR. In this study, we prepared boiled water extracts from the medicines and determined their potentials in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of the medicines on serum IgE levels in ovalbumin (OVA)-administrated mice were also studied. The medicines inhibited production of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6, and COX-2 expression in LPSstimulated macrophages. Especially, PHCR water extract showed more potent inhibition on TNF-$\alpha$ production than SB and LJ extracts, but RSL extract did not exert these effects. Similar to the cases of SB and LJ, PHCR extract prevented the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and c-Jun, and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA binding. Further, oral supplementation of PHCR extract attenuated significantly serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE in OVAtreated animals. These results suggest a possibility that PHCR water extract can be used for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.20-31
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• 2019

Objectives: The seeds from Arctium lappa have been considered for its various pharmacological properties, which include anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-viral activities. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol extract from the seeds of Arctium lappa L (EAL) on cytokine-induced vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Results: Pretreatment with EAL significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$)-induced cell adhesion molecules expression such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial-selectin (E-selectin) in a dose-dependent manner. Cell adhesion assay showed that pretreatment with EAL suppressed HUVEC-monocyte adhesion by $TNF-{\alpha}$ over $1{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. We investigated the involvement of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced vascular inflammation. $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 nuclear expression was induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$, however, pretreatment with EAL was attenuated that nuclear translocation. In cytoplasm, EAL was also attenuated $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced decrease of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) expression. Moreover, EAL significantly decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that seeds of Arctium lappa L could be a therapeutic herb for prevention of cardiovascular diseases throughout the inhibition of vascular endothelial inflammation.