• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2023

As a protective defensive mechanism against ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in skin tissue, melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Tyrosinase plays a key role in melanin production in melanocytes. However, the overproduction of melanin can lead to lesions, such as freckles and dark spots. Thus, it is clinically important to find a modulating molecule to control melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase expression and/or activity. It is known that catechin, a plant flavonoid, can reduce melano- genesis through the downregulation of tyrosinase expression. Here, we tested whether catechin derivatives isolated from the stem bark of Ulmus parvifolia have an effect on melanin production by regulating tyrosinase in mouse melanoma cells and in vitro mushroom tyrosinase. The catechin derivatives used in this study included C5A, C7A, C7G, and C7X. Treatments using these catechin derivatives reduced melanin production in mouse melanoma B16F10 cells in which melanogenesis was stimulated by α-MSH. Notably, the anti-melanogenic effects of catechin derivatives were similar to those of kojic acid, a well-known anti-melanogenic molecule. Both C5A and C7A directly inhibited the activity of tyrosinase isolated from mushrooms in vitro. Furthermore, our in silico computational simulation showed that these two compounds were expected to bind to the active site of tyrosinase, which is similar to kojic acid. In addition, all four catechin derivatives reduced tyrosinase protein expression. In summary, our results showed that catechin derivatives can reduce melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase activity or expression. Thus, this study suggests that catechin derivatives isolated from U. parvifolia can be novel modulators of melanin production.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study was conducted to discover substances that regulate skin surface acidification using human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines, and to investigate their effects on the moisturizing ability and skin barrier function of the stratum corneum. Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) is an herb widely distributed in Northwest Africa and North America that has been studied for its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, research on the regulation of NHE1 expression and the restoration of skin barrier function has not been conducted. Analysis of P. vulgaris revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid as active ingredients, which were tested for toxicity in human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT), and showed no toxic effects were observed at high concentarion (100 ㎍/mL or 100 µM). It is known that sodium-hydrogen ion exchange pumps (NHE1) decrease in expression in aging skin to maintain the acidic pH of the stratum corneum, and it is hypothesized that this decrease plays an important role in the impaired restoration of skin barrier function in aging skin. P. vulgaris extract and caffeic acid increased the expression of NHE1 in keratinocytes, increased the expression of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) precursor filaggrin and ceramide synthesis enzyme serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT). In addition, P. vulgaris and caffeic acid decreased the extracellular pH of keratinocytes, indicating a direct effect on skin pH regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that P. vulgaris and caffeic acid can regulate skin pH through NHE1 modulation, and may help to restore skin barrier function by increasing NMF and ceramide synthesis. These results show the possibility that honeysuckle and caffeic acid can have a positive effect on skin health, and can be the basis for the development of new skin protection products using them.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.455-468
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• 2023

We aimed to assess the potential growth-promoting effects of buckwheat sprout on intestinal bacteria and their anti-inflammation effects in a cellular model of intestinal inflammation. The growth of Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis BT1 was enhanced with the addition of the sprout extract of tartary buckwheat. Further, in the inflammatory model cells cultured with Raw 264.7 cells were treated with buckwheat sprout including each 10 probiotics before the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation in Raw 264.7 cells. Buckwheat sprout in both Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis BT1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LPC5 significantly reduced the production of NO and PGE₂. The above results indicate that buckwheat sprout extract which contains with various physiologically active substances such as rutin, quercetin, and choline is effective in suppressing NO and PGE₂ production, which are inflammation-related indicators. The present study suggests that buckwheat sprout could induce positive effects on the intestinal beneficial bacteria and in anti-inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.443-452
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• 2024

This study aimed to examine the influence of 3,6-anhydroxygalactose (L-AHG) on the pro-inflammatory M1 polarization and pro-inflammatory responses observed in the RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line following stimulation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). L-AHG exhibited a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, a hallmark of M1 polarization, and subsequent NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, the LPS-induced upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which drives the production of prostaglandin E2, an inflammatory mediator, was also inhibited by L-AHG. L-AHG did not affect the LPS-triggered Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling pathway, which culminated in the activation of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). However, it was observed to inhibit the generation of reactive oxugen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner, as well as the TAK1-driven activation of JNK and p38 MAPK. Given that the active p38 MAPK is known to contribute to the assembly of active nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which catalyzes the intracellular generation of pro-inflammatory ROS in LPS-stimulated macrophages, the dose-dependent reduction in the LPS-induced ROS generation by L-AHG may be mainly due to the prevention of TAK1-driven activation of p38 MAPK. Together, these results demonstrate that the L-AHG-mediated inhibition of the TAK1-JNK/p38 MAPK activation phase of the pro-inflammatory signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by L-AHG represents a promising mechanism for suppressing M1 polarization and pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1095-1106
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• 2023

This study investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Aster glehni (AG) extract in RAW 264.7 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were higher in the ethanol extracts than in the hot water extracts. As a result of measuring the moisture contents (%) and extraction yields (%) of AG and drying A. glehni for processing (DAG), 70% ethanol, which has the highest percentage of extraction yield, was selected as the final solvent. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed higher antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of DAG than AG. The cytotoxicity assay of the AG or DAG ethanol extracts was treated at different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL), and cell viability rates were higher than 80% at all concentrations. The LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 was significantly reduced at all concentrations of AG and DAG groups. As a result of measuring the gene expression of iNOS, which induces NO production, the AG or DAG group decreased by 33% and 32%, compared with the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group. Under inflammatory stress conditions, the survival rate of C. elegans treated with AG or DAG ethanol extract with LPS showed concentration-dependent improvement in survival rate compared with the PBS group. Considering these results, AG could potentially be developed as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functional food material.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.339-348
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• 2006

Objective: With development of the skeletal anchorage system, orthodontic mini-implant (OMI) assisted on masse sliding retraction has become part of general orthodontic treatment. But compared to the emphasis on successful anchorage preparation, the control of anterior teeth axis has not been emphasized enough. Methods: A 3-D finite element Base model of maxillary dental arch and a Lingual tipping model with lingually inclined anterior teeth were constructed. To evaluate factors influencing the axis of anterior teeth when OMI was used as anchorage, models were simulated with 2 mm or 5 mm retraction hooks and/or by the addition of 4 mm of compensating curve (CC) on the main archwire. The stress distribution on the roots and a 25000 times enlarged axis graph were evaluated. Results: Intrusive component of retraction force directed postero-superiorly from the 2 mm height hook did not reduce the lingual tipping of anterior teeth. When hook height was increased to 5 mm, lateral incisor showed crown-labial and root-lingual torque and uncontrolled tipping of the canine was increased.4 mm of CC added to the main archwire also induced crown-labial and root-lingual torque of the lateral incisor but uncontrolled tipping of the canine was decreased. Lingual tipping model showed very similar results compared with the Base model. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that height of the hook and compensating curve on the main archwire can influence the axis of anterior teeth. These data can be used as guidelines for clinical application.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.71 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 1985

This study was carried out in order to prevent the devaluation of wood itself and wood products causing by anisotropy, hygroscopicity, shrinkage and swelling - properties that wood itself only have, in order to improve utility of wood, by emphasizing the natural beautiful figures of wood, to develop the dimensional stabilization techniques of wood with PEG that it is a cheap, non-toxic and the impregnation treatment is not difficult, on the effects of PEG molecular weights (200, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 4000, 6000) and species (Pinus densiflora S. et Z., Larix leptolepis Gordon., Cryptomeria japonica D. Don., Cornus controversa Hemsl., Quercus variabilis Blume., Prunus sargentii Rehder.). The results were as follows; 1) PEG loading showed the maximum value (137.22%, Pinus densiflora, in PEG 400), the others showed that relatively slow decrease. The lower specific gravity, the more polymer loading. 2) Bulking coefficient didn't particularly show the correlation with specific gravity, for the most part, indicated the maximum values in PEG 600, except that the bulking coefficient of Quercus variabilis distributed between the range of 12-18% in PEG 400-2000. In general, the bulking coefficient of hardwood was higher than that of softwood. 3) Although there was more or less an exception according to species, volumetric swelling reduction was the greatest in PEG 400. That is, its value of Cryptomeria japonica was the greatest value with 95.0%, the others indicated more than 80% except for Prunus sargentii, while volumetric swelling reduction was decreased less than 70% as the molecular weight increase more than 1000. 4) The relative effectiveness of hardwood with high specific gravity was outstandingly higher than softwood. In general, the relative effectiveness of low molecular weight PEG was superior to those of high molecular weight PEG except that Quercus variabilis showed more than 1.6 to the total molecular weight range, while it was no significant difference as the molecular weight increase more than 4000. 5) According to the analysis of the results mentioned above, the dimensional stabilization of hardwood was more effective than softwood. Although volumetric swelling reduction was the greatest at a molecular weight of 400. In the view of polymer loading, bulking coefficiency reduction of swelling and relative effectiveness, it is desirable to use the mixture of PEG of molecular weight in the range of 200-1500. To practical use, it is recommended to study about the effects on the mixed ratio on the bulking coefficient, reduction of swelling and relative effectiveness.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 1995

The reliable measurement of metal in biological media in human body is one of critical indicators for the proper evaluation of its toxic effect on human health. Recently in Korea the necessity of quality assurance of measurement in occupational health and occupational hygiene fields brought out regulatory quality control program. Lead is often used as a standard metal for the program in both fields of occupational health and hygiene. During last 20 years lead poisoning was prevalent in Korea and still is one of main heavy metal poisoning and the capability of the measurement of blood lead is one of prerequisites for institute of specialized occupational health in Korea. Furthermore blood lead is most important indicator to evaluate lead burden of human exposure to lead and the reliable and accurate analysis is most needed whenever possible. To evaluate the extent of the interlaboratory differences of blood lead measurement in several well-known institute specialized in occupational health in Korea, authors prepared 68 blood samples from two storage battery industries and all samples were divided into samples with 2 ml. One set of 68 samples were analyzed by authors's laboratory(Soonchunhyang University Institute of Industrial Medicine: SIIM) and 40 samples of other set were analyzed by C University Institute of Industrial Medicine(CIIM) and the rest 28 samples of other set were analyzed by Japanese institute(K Occupational Health Center:KOHC). Authors also prepared test bovine samples which were obtained from Japanese Federation of Occupational Health Organization (JFOHO) for quality control. Authors selected 2 other well-known occupational health laboratories and one laboratory specialized for instrumental analysis. A total of 6 laboratories joined the interlaboratory comparison of blood lead measurement and the results obtained were as follows: 1. There was no significant difference in average blood lead between SIIM and CIIM in different group of blood lead concentration, and the relative standard deviation of two laboratories was less than 3.0%. On the other hand, there was also no significant difference of average blood lead between SIIM and KOHC with relative standard deviation of 6.84% as maximum. 2. Taking less than 15% difference of mean or less than 6 ug/dl difference in below 40 ug/dl in whole blood as a criteria of agreement of measurement between two laboratories, agreement rates were 87.5%(35/40) and 78.6%(22/28) between SIIM and CIIM, SIIM and KOHC respectively. 3. The correlation of blood lead between SIIM and CIIM was 0.975 (p=0.0001) and the regression equation was SIIM = 2.19 + 0.9243 ClIM, whereas the correlation between SUM and KOHC was O.965(p=0.0001) with the equation of SIIM = 1.91 + 0.9794 KOHC. 4. Taking the reference value as a dependent variable and each of 6 laboratories's measurement value as a independent variable, the determination coefficient($R^2$) of simple regression equations of blood lead measurement for bovine test samples were very high($R^2>0.99$), and the regression coefficient(${\beta}$) was between 0.972 and 1.15 which indicated fairly good agreement of measurement results.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1972.03a
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• pp.6-7
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• 1972

The air pollutants can be classified into the irritant gas and the asphixation gas, and the irritant gas is closely related to the otorhinolaryngological diseases. The common irritant gases are nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen carbon compounds, and the potent and irritating PAN (peroxy acyl nitrate) which is secondarily liberated from photosynthesis. Those gases adhers to the mucous membrane to result in ulceration and secondary infection due to their potent oxidizing power. 1. Sulfur dioxide gas Sulfur dioxide gas has the typical characteristics of the air pollutants. Because of its high solubility it gets easily absorbed in the respiratory tract, when the symptoms and signs by irritation become manifested initially and later the resistance in the respiratory tract brings central about pulmonary edema and respiratory paralysis of origin. Chronic exposure to the gas leads to rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and olfactory or gustatory disturbances. 2. Carbon monoxide Toxicity of carbon monoxide is due to its deprivation of the oxygen carrying capacity of the hemoglobin. The degree of the carbon monoxide intoxication varies according to its concentration and the duration of inhalation. It starts with headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting and tinnitus, which can progress to respiratory difficulty, muscular laxity, syncope, and coma leading to death. 3. Nitrogen dioxide Nitrogen dioxide causes respiratory disturbances by formation of methemoglobin. In acute poisoning, it can cause pulmonary congestion, pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and pneumonia due to its strong irritation on the eyes and the nose. In chronic poisoning, it causes chronic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary edema. 4. Ozone It has offending irritating odor, and causes dryness of na sopharyngolaryngeal mucosa, headache and depressed pulmonary function which may eventually lead to pulmonary congestion or edema. 5. Smog The most outstanding incident of the smog occurred in London from December 5 through 8, 1952, because of which the mortality of the respiratory diseases increased fourfold. The smog was thought to be due to the smoke produced by incomplete combustion and its byproduct the sulfur oxides, and the dust was thought to play the secondary role. In new sense, hazardous is the photochemical smog which is produced by combination of light energy and the hydrocarbons and oxidant in the air. The Yonsei University Institute for Environmental :pollution Research launched a project to determine the relationship between the pollution and the medical, ophthalmological and rhinopharyngological disorders. The students (469) of the "S" Technical School in the most heavily polluted area in Pusan (Uham Dong district) were compared with those (345) of "K" High School in the less polluted area. The investigated group had those with subjective symptoms twice as much as the control group, 22.6% (106) in investigated group and 11.3% (39) in the control group. Among those symptomatic students of the investigated group. There were 29 with respiratory symptoms (29%), 22 with eye symptoms (21%), 50 with stuffy nose and rhinorrhea (47%), and 5 with sore thorat (5%), which revealed that more than half the students (52%) had subjective symptoms of the rhinopharyngological aspects. Physical examination revealed that the investigated group had more number of students with signs than those of the control group by 10%, 180 (38.4%) versus 99 (28.8%). Among the preceding 180 students of the investigated group, there were 8 with eye diseases (44%), 1 with respiratory disease (0.6%), 97 with rhinitis (54%), and 74 with pharyngotonsillitis (41%) which means that 95% of them had rharygoical diseases. The preceding data revealed that the otolaryngological diseases are conspicuously outnumbered in the heavily polluted area, and that there must be very close relationship between the air pollution and the otolaryngological diseases, and the anti-pollution measure is urgently needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2001

Purpose : We performed a retrospective analysis to compare short term results of induction chemotherapy-radiotherapy versus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods : From Oct. 1989 to May 1998, 62 patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (induction group) or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (concurrent group). Induction chemotherapy was done for 50 patients, and concurrent chemotherapy for 12 patients. Age, sex, performance status, and pathologic types were evenly distributed between two groups. Stage distribution showed $32\%$ with IIB, $32\%$ with III, and $38\%$ with IV in induction group, and $50\%,\;33.3\%,\;and\;16.7\%$ in concurrent group, respectively. Chemotherapy regimen was CF (cisplatin and 5-FU) in both groups, and drug delivery method also same. Cisplatin $100\;mg/m^2$ was intravenously infused on day 1, and 5-FU $1,000\;mg/m^2$ on day $2\~6$. This was repeated at 3 weeks interval. At the end of radiotherapy, total cycles of chemotherapy were $1\~3$ (median 2) in both groups. Conventionally fractionated radiotherapy with daily fraction size $1.8\~2.0\;Gy$ and 5 fractions/week was done. Total dose was $69.4\~86\;Gy$(median 73.4 Gy) for induction group, and $69.4\~75.4\;Gy$ (median 70.8 Gy) for concurrent group. Follow-up time was $9\~116$ months (median 40.5 months) for induction group, $14\~29$ months (median 21 months) for concurrent group, respectively. Results : Overall 2 year survival rate (2YSR) for all patients was $78.7\%$. According to treatment modality, 2YSR were $77\%$ for induction group, $87\%$ for concurrent group (p>0.05). 2 year disease-free survival rate were $56\%$ and $81\%\;(p>0.05)$, respectively. Complete response to treatment were $75.5\%$ for induction group and $91.7\%$ for concurrent group, but there was no statistical difference. The incidence of grade $3\~4$ hematologic toxicity during radiotherapy was not differ between two groups, but grade 2 leukopenia was more frequent in concurrent group $(18\%\;vs\;66.7\%)$Grade $3\~4$ mucositis was more frequent in concurrent group $(4.0\%\;vs\;33.3\%)$. Overall incidence of grade $3\~4$ acute toxicity during radiotherapy was more frequent in concurrent group $(6.0\%\;vs\;41.7\%,\;p=0.005)$. Conclusion : Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy showed a trend of improvement in short-term survival and in treatment response when compared with induction chemotherapy-radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. More controlled randomized trial are needed.