• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.310-317
• /
• 2017

Mammalian cells control cellular homeostasis using a variety of defensive enzymes in order to combat against environmental oxidants and electrophiles. NF-E2-related factor-2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that, in response to an exposure to oxidative stress, translocates into the nucleus and modulates the inducible expression of various phase II cytoprotective enzymes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). In the present study, we have acquired 400 ethanol extracts of traditional medicinal plants and attempted to find out possible extract(s) that can increase the NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes. As a result, we have identified that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica strongly activated the ARE-dependent luciferase activity in HaCaT- ARE-luciferase cells. Exposure of ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica increased the viability and activated transcription and translation of NRF2-dependent phase II cytoprotective enzymes in HaCaT cells, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD[P]H:quinone oxidorecutase-1 (NQO1). In addition, ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby inhibiting the formation of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in HaCaT cells. Together, our results demonstrate that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica exert anti-oxidant effects via the induction of NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.488-495
• /
• 2018

The p53 gene plays a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of cellular response to stress, DNA damage, hypoxia, and tumor development. Keeping in mind the recently discovered manifold physiological functions of p53, its involvement in the regulation of cancer is not surprising. In about 50% of all human cancers, inactivation of p53's protein function occurs either through mutations in the gene itself or defects in the mechanisms that activate it. This disorder plays a crucial role in tumor evolution by allowing the evasion of a p53-dependent response. Many recent studies have focused on directly targeting p53 mutants by identifying selective, small molecular compounds to deplete them or to restore their tumor-suppressive function. These small molecules should effectively regulate various interactions while maintaining good drug-like properties. Among them, the discovery of the key p53-negative regulator, MDM2, has led to the design of new small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between p53 and MDM2. Some of these small molecule compounds have now moved from proof-of-concept studies into clinical trials, with prospects for further, more personalized anti-carcinogenic medicines. Here, we review the structural and functional consequences of wild type and mutant p53 as well as the development of therapeutic agents that directly target this gene, and compounds that inhibit the interaction between it and MDM2.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.443-451
• /
• 2020

Recently, thrombotic diseases have become rapidly more prevalent due to Westernized lifestyles and high-fat diets. In this study, the anti-thrombosis activities of the aerial parts of Sageretia thea were evaluated using ethanol extracts of the leaf (ST-L), branch (ST-B), and fruit (ST-F), and their anti-coagulation, platelet aggregation inhibition, and hemolytic toxicity were assessed. In comparison to the ST-F extract, the ST-B exhibited 6.7 times more polyphenol content, and the ST-L had 2.7 times more total flavonoid content. The ST-L and ST-B extracts showed stronger inhibitions of thrombin, prothrombin, and blood coagulation factors than aspirin, berry extracts, or commercial oriental herbs. Furthermore, ST-L and ST-B showed superior platelet aggregation-inhibitory activities than aspirin. The ST-F extract demonstrated only minor anti-thrombosis effects, and none of the extracts showed hemolysis against red blood cells up to 1 mg/ml. Phenolic acid and flavonoid analysis of the ST-L and ST-B extracts showed abundant rutin, isoquercitrin, and astragalin as the major active compounds. Further research on the anti-thrombotic activity of isoquercitrin, a rare flavonoid from quercetin, is necessary. This is the first report of isoquercitrin in Sageretia thea, and our results suggest that ST-L and ST-B extracts could therefore developed as anti-thrombosis agents.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.661-671
• /
• 2020

The resistance of cancer cells to anti-cancer drugs is the leading cause of chemotherapy failure. The clinical use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been gradually extended to cancer treatment through combination with anti-cancer drugs. In the current study, we investigated whether NSAIDs including celecoxib (CCB), 2,5-dimethyl celecoxib (DMC), and ibuprofen (IBU) could enhance the cytotoxic effects of imatinib and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) on human cancer cells. We found that the NSAIDs potentiated TRAIL and imatinib cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines SNU-354, SNU-423, SNU-449, and SNU-475/TR and against leukemic K562 cells with high level of CD44 (CD44^highK562), respectively. More specifically, CCB induced endoplasmic reticulum stress via up-regulation of ATF4/CHOP which is associated with the induction of autophagy against HCC and CD44^high K562 cells. NSAID-induced autophagic activity accelerated TRAIL cytotoxicity of HCC cells through up- and down-regulation of DR5 and c-FLIP, respectively. The NSAIDs also potentiated imatinib-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through down-regulation of markers in CD44^highK562 cells that express a stemness phenotype. Our results suggest that the ability of NSAIDs to induce autophagy could enhance the cytotoxicity of TRAIL and imatinib, leading to a reverse resistance to these drugs in the cancer cells. In conclusion, NSAIDs in combination with low-dose TRAIL or imatinib may constitute a novel clinical strategy that maximizes therapeutic efficacy of each drug and effectively reduces the toxic side effects.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.722-730
• /
• 2020

As one of the most serious health risk factors, air pollution can no longer be ignored. Particulate matter (PM) is an important and harmful component of air pollution that originates from a variety of sources. Numerous recent studies have linked PM to a range of conditions including cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, and skin disease. The eye, despite being directly exposed to air pollution, has been investigated in very few of these studies. In this review, we describe the evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as epidemiological investigations, that supports the association between exposure to PM and the development of ocular conditions such as surface and retinal disease and glaucoma. Based on the results of previous studies, we suggest that PM exposure can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and, ultimately, ocular surface disease. Nevertheless, almost no studies focus on ocular surface damage from PM while some epidemiological and clinical studies report on the posterior of the eye. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms in the posterior following PM exposure have yet to be identified, and further studies are therefore warranted of the ocular surface as well as the posterior part of the eye.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.114-121
• /
• 2010

Purpose : To examine the effect of unilateral otitis media and unilateral cerumen occlusion of the ear canal on thermometers. Methods : One hundred eighty six children with unilateral otitis media, fifty children with unilateral cerumen occlusion, and fifty children with neither otitis media nor cerumen were enrolled. Temperature was measured in both ear canals using thermometers. After 15 minutes, second temperature was measured again in both ears. Unilateral otitis media was graded by video otoscope for 7 grades. Differences in temperatures between affected ears and unaffected ears were analyzed. Results : No temperature difference between the normal and cerumen groups was observed. The mean temperature of the otitis media ear canal was $0.13{\pm}0.20^{\circ}C$ higher than that of the intact ear canal ($36.99{\pm}0.54^{\circ}C$ vs $36.86{\pm}0.52^{\circ}C$; P<0.001). There was no statistically significant temperature difference between grades. Conclusion : Unilateral otits media can affect estimation of body temperature measured by thermometers.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2002

우리 사회에서 일정 정도 이상의 사회와 가정에서의 기능상의 부적응을 초래하는 정신적 문제는 경제활동인구에 있어 가장 흔한 보건의료상의 문제일 것으로 추측되고 있으나, 현재까지는 정신보건제도 마련에 있어 가장 극심한 부적응을 보이는 정신적 장애를 지닌 환자를 위주로 수용시설과 지역사회에서의 재활과 관리에 그 초점을 두어 왔다. 즉 직업스트레스와 같은 일시적인 사회심리적 갈등으로 인한 신체증상의 호소나 알을 및 약물중독으로 인한 사고의 발생으로부터 일생동안 관리되어야 하는 지능저하나 학습장애와 같은 만성적인 문제에 이르기까지 다양한 스펙트럼을 보이는 사업장과 지역사회에서의 정신적 문제들 중 그 일부만이 제도적으로 관리되어 왔다. 실제 그 동안 직장 내 정신보건문제에 대한 행정적 관심은 일부 장애인의 취업 문제를 제외하고는 없었다고 하여야 할 것이다. 그러나 한편으로 우리 사회의 산업구조와 경제사회적 조건의 변화에 따른 노동내용과 조건상 유연화의 증대가 많은 직장에서 노동강화로 이어진다는 점, 그리고 가족 및 교류집단을 비롯한 전통적인 사회적 지지구조가 와해되고 있다는 점과 정신적 문제로 인한 기능상 부적응의 척도가 한편으로 사회적 가치관의 변화에 따라 계속 그 영역이 넓어지는 방향으로 변화하고 있다는 점등에서 직장 내 정신보건 문제는 앞으로 더욱 그 비중이 커질 것으로 판단되고 있다. 문제의 심각성에 대한 관심이 요구되는 현재의 시점에서 제도적 접근에 대한 검토 또한 시작되어야 할 것으로 판단되고 있다. 현재까지 기업 내에서 이루어지고 있는 정신보건관리의 현황을 단편적으로 파악해 보았을 때, 단지 일부 기업에서 취업시 내지는 부서 배치시 성격검사를 비롯하여 적성검사를 실시하고 있으며, 기업윤리확보 차원에서 비정규적으로 사기앙양을 주목적으로 하는 집단적인 교육이나 단체훈련이 이루어지고 있으나, 정신심리적 문제를 개인적 차원에서 그리고 또한 조직적 차원에서 체계화된 프로그램으로 관리하고 있는 사례는 아직 없다. 앞으로 직장 내 정신보건문제에 대하여 제도적인 접근을 하기 위하여서는 다음과 같은 세가지 조건들이 구비되어야 할 것으로 판단된다. 첫 번째로 문제점 그 자체의 내용과 그 규모에 대한 정확한 파악과 예측이 가능하여야 한다. 즉 제도 전체의 운영을 객관적으로 평가하고 개선할 수 있는 기제가 함께 있어야 제도가 실제적인 기능을 할 수 있다는 최소한의 목적이 달성될 수 있다. 두 번째로 문제점의 관리를 위한 효과적인 개입내용 및 개입지점의 확보가 가능하여야 한다. 특히 직장 내에서 수행할 수 있는 프로그램이 개발되어야 하며, 이는 시범사업과 시장을 통한 소비자, 즉 사업주들의 자발적인 선택을 통하여 검토되고 걸려져야만 한다. 마지막으로 제도 운영의 대상, 특히 정신보건문제를 안고 있는 노동자들의 자발적인 동의가 확보될 수 있어야 한다. 이는 정신적 문제가 안고 있는 편견과 그로 인한 차별이 가져다주는 문제를 함께 고려하면서 제도가 운영되어야 하며, 이에 있어 제도 운영상 노동자들의 주체적인 참여가 필요하기 때문이다. 이상 고려되는 직장 내 정신보건문제에 대한 제도적 접근을 담기 위하여서는 프로그램 개발이나 전문가 집단의 양성과 같은 단순한 기술적 접근과 이들의 인허가 및 사업화에 따른 적용기준 및 의무의 설정과 같은 제도적 접근에 그쳐서는 그 실효성을 담보하지 못할 것으로 판단된다. 보다 중요한 것은 이러한 정신보건문제에 대한 노사의 공감대를 이루어 내는 것이며, 사회 전반적인 인식의 확산과 더불어 바람직한 관리모습에 대한 사회적 가치관을 도출해 내는 것이 제도적인 접근의 성공을 보장할 수 있는 기반 조건이 될 것이다. 이러한 점에 있어 정신보건문제를 바라보는 기존의 가치관이 부정적이고 고착화된 모습만을 강조하였으나, 이제는 점차 긍정적이 사회활동에 수반되는 역동적인 모습으로서 비추어지는 것이 많아진다는 측면에서 그 전망을 밝게 하여 주고 있다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 2000

One week survey to investigate the prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms in Korea. The subject(n=7,704 patients) was newly enrolled patients at the out patient clinic in 90 ENT departments of resident training hospitals and 11 local clinics, which were voluntarily participated in the study 1) Twenty five percent of all enrolled patients has LPR-related symptoms or clinical findings from the examination by ENT specialists. 2) Among e name of LPR-related diagnosis, globus syndrome was e most common, and follows by reflux laryngitis, and chronic laryngitis. 3) Women was more prevalent than men, and it is common in 5th, 6th, and 7th decades, which seems to be related with aging process. 4) Most popular symtoms of LPR. were globus sensation, conic throat clearing, and hoarseness of unknown origin. 5) Aggravating factors of LPR-related symptoms were tiredness, mental stress, drink alcohol, cigarettes smoking, spicy food, and drinking coffee. 6) LPR-related symptoms were more common in professional voice users. 7) In past medical history, diseases of stomach and tonsillitis were most common.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.741-746
• /
• 2004

This study investigated the response of GLUT-4 and GRP-78 protein expression in soleus muscle of Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with caffeine oral administration by imposing different exercise intensities. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6 in each group): diabetic group (D), diabetic-caffeine group (DC), diabetic-caffeine group with low intensity exercise (DCL), diabetic-caffeine group with moderate intensity exercise (DCM) and diabetic-caffeine group with high intensity exercise (DCH). The rats in DCL, DCM and DCH groups were exercised acutely by treadmill running for 8 meter/m, 16 meter/m and 25 meter/m, respectively. Little difference in GLUT-4 protein expression was shown in DC and DCL compared to D. GLUT-4 protein expression was decreased in DCM and increased in DCH was observed. GRP-78 protein expressions in DCL, DCM and DCH were little lower than that of D. An increase in GRP-78 protein was observed in DC. Improved insulin sensitivity with acute high intensity exercise gives the rats important therapy that lowers insulin requirement. This improvement of insulin sensitivity for glucose transport in skeletal muscle results from translocation of the GLUT-4 protein from the endoplasmic reticilum to the cell surface and increase in total quantity of GLUT-4 protein. It is not clear what mechanism reduced GRP-78 protein level in exercise group. It is merely conjectured that caffeine-induced lipolysis provided cells with energy in abundance and this relieved stress which cells are subjected to receive when performing exercise.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1319-1323
• /
• 2015

Aquaculture continues to be an ever-growing sector. However, high-density farming increases disease outbreaks due to deteriorating water quality and internal stress. To prevent disease, the most common method chemotherapy is using antibiotic administration. In this study, probiotic bacteria were isolated from Korean traditional foods, such a Gochu pickle and cutlassfish salted seafood. Various bacteria were isolated, and their 16S rDNA sequences were analyzed. The antimicrobial activities of four isolates from Gochu pickle and seven isolates from cutlassfish salted seafood were assayed, in addition to the antibacterial activity of culture pellet and supernatant. The antibacterial activity of the pellet was higher than that of the supernatant. Isolate JKM-2 showed the highest antibacterial activity against Streptococcus iniae (43 mm), S. parauberis (40 mm), S. mutans (35 mm), and Vibrio vuinificus (26.5 mm). The sequences of the isolated strains were compared with those of Bacillus subtilis (97.71%), B. tequilensis (97.71%), Brevibacterium halotolerans (97.71%), B. subtilis (97.63%), B. subtilis (97.63%), B. mojavensis (97.54%), B. vallismortis (97.46%), B. nanillea (97.45%), B. methylotrophicus (97.37%), and B. ssiamensis (97.37%). Future through analysis and new strains confirmed the bacterial cell material investigation of JKM-3, and to ensure sufficient stability, it is desired to verify the utility value as a substitute material for antibiotics by application to the form of the industry.