• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.975-985
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• 2017

To investigate the beneficial effects of an agar gel mask (AGM) on UV-induced photoaging, SKH-1 hairless mice were treated with a topical application of AGM and an AGM dipped in essence (AGMdE). The mice were divided into an no radiation group, UV + AGM, UV + AGMdE, and UV + vehicle (PBS) treatment groups. Alterations in skin wrinkles, skin phenotype, histological structures, oxidative status, and toxicity were then evaluated during 4 weeks of exposure. The topical application of AGM and AGMdE inhibited wrinkle formation, suppressed the erythema index, prevented transepidermal water loss, and enhanced skin hydration. In addition, epidermal thickness recovered to a similar level as that in the no irradiation group in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups compared with the UV + vehicle (distilled water) group. Furthermore, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tyrosinase were reduced in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups, although the highest level varied. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups as compared with the UV + vehicle group. No significant alterations induced by most toxic compounds were measured in serum biochemical markers and liver and kidney histological features of the UV + AGM and UV + AGMdE treatment groups. These results suggest that AGM may protect against skin aging by regulating skin morphology, histopathological structures, and oxidative conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.905-914
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• 2023

To evaluate the effectiveness of the skin barrier improvement of lactic acid (LA) and gluconolactone (GL), the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, hyaluronic acid (HA), hyaluronan syhthase-2 (HAS2), and aquaporine-3 (AQP3) in keratinocytes, and the moisture content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by clinical trials were evaluated. The expression levels of filaggrin and locricrin, which are the main factors affecting the proper functioning of skin barrier function, and HA, HAS2, and AQP3, which are skin moisturizing-related proteins measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The results showed that the expression levels of the factors that decreased by H2O2 treatment were significantly increased by LA, GL, and a mixture of LA and GL at the mRNA and protein levels (p<0.05). The nanoemulsion containing a mixture of LA and GL was prepared using the emulsion inversion method, and the average particle size was 299.9 ± 0.287 nm. After measuring the TEWL of nanoemulsion using Vapometer, it was found that TEWL significantly decreased by 15.53% and 26.73% after two weeks and four weeks of product use, respectively, compared to TEWL before product use (p<0.001). Similarly, the skin moisture content of the nanoemulsion significantly increased by 15.40% and 26.59% after two weeks and four weeks of product use, respectively, compared to skin moisture content before product use (p<0.001). Therefore, the skin barrier function and moisturizing effect of a mixture of LA and GL are shown by increasing the moisture content and decreasing the TEWL by increasing the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, HA, HAS2, and AQP3. This suggests the possibility for the development of functional cosmetic ingredients in the future.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2016

Cutaneous microvasculature plays a critical role in age-associated skin changes. A considerable reduction of number and size of vessels has been observed in the upper dermis of elderly skin. Forsythiae fructus (FF), the dried fruit of plant Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa), has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and bacterial diseases. However, its regulatory effect on angiogenic responses has not been elucidated in skin. Therefore, we analyzed secretory profiles upon treatment of FF extract using array designed to detect angiogenesis-associated mediators in human keratinocytes. Because keratinocyte-derived VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been regarded as a potent factor for new microvasculature under the epidermis, we further investigated the effect of FF extract on VEGF production. We observed that the VEGF expression of mRNA and protein level was increased by about 2 folds in a dose-dependent manner after FF extract treatment. In signaling experiments, FF extract induced rapid p38 MAPK activation within 5 min, and the activation was totally abrogated by pretreatment with a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor. The FF-induced VEGF upregulation was also significantly attenuated by a p38 MAPK inhibition. Taken together, FF extract induces VEGF production via p38 MAPK activation in human epidermal keratinocytes. These novel findings suggest that FF is useful as a potential agent with pro-angiogenic activity and may help to improve age-dependent reduction of the microvasculature in aged skin or to heal skin wound.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2007

목적 : Signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (Stat 6) 유전자는 면역세포의 발달에 있어서 중요한 유전인자이며, IL-4와 같은 사이토카인에 의해 유전자 발현이 조절된다. 본 연구에서는 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐와 정상 (wild type, W/T) 생쥐에 carrageenan으로 염증을 유도한 후 족삼리에 침치료를 시행하여 시상하부에서의 유전자 발현 양상을 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : BALB/c (W/T, n=12) and BALB/c-Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 (n=12)의 발뒤꿈치 표피에 1% carrageenan을 30 ul 주사하여 염증을 유도하였다. 침은 염증 유도 30분 후에 족삼리(ST36)에 시침하였으며, 염증유도에 의한 부종 증가율을 매 시간마다 측정하여 총 5시간동안 측정하였다. 마이크로에러이는 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐를 염증 유발 군과 염증유발 후 침을 처치한 군으로 나누고, 시상하부를 적출하여 RNA를 분리한뒤 마이크로어레이 프로파일을 분석하였다. 결 과 : 염증에 의한 부종증가율을 비교한 결과, Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 그룹의 부종증가율이 W/T 생쥐의 부종 증가율보다 약 50 % 정도 감소하였으며, 각 3, 4, 5시간째에 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. (각 p<0.05). W.T생쥐군과 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐군 모두에서, 침 처치군이 염증 유발 군에 비해, 염증 유발 2시간 후부터 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 시상하부의 유전자 발현을 관찰한 결과, 39개의 유전자가 3배 이상 감소하였으며, 19개의 유전자는 3배 이상 증가하였다. 결 론 : W/T 생쥐군과 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 모두에서 침의 진통효과는 나타나며, 이의 기전에는 시상하부에서의 침 치료에 의한 염증관련 유전자들의 감소와, 항염증과 관련된 유전자들이 증가가 관여하는 것으로 보인다., 10, 11), 내측전완피신경(TE5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), 후상완피신경(TE12, 13), 상외측상완피신경(TE13), 외측쇄골상신경(TE14, 15),대이개신경(TE16, 17, 18, 19), 소후두신경(TE19, 20), 이개측두신경(TE20, 21, 22), 안면신경측두지(TE22, 23), 관골측두신경(TE23), 중층에 견갑상신경(TE15), 견갑배신경(TE15), 경상설골근신경(TE17), 후이개신경(TE18, 19, 20), 안면신경측두지(TE20, 21, 22), 심층에 후골간신경(TE5, 6, 7), 요골신경심지(TE8, 9, 12, 13), 견갑상신경(TE14), 액와신경가지(TE14), 부신경(TE16), 안면신경과 부신경가지(TE17), 설인신경(TE17), 설하신경(TE17), 경신경고리(TE17), 미주신경(TE17), 안면신경 (TE18). 3) 혈(血) 관(管) : 천층에 척측정맥배측지(TE1, 2), 고유수장지동맥배측지(TE1), 배측중수골동맥배측지(TE2), 배측중수골정맥(TE3), 척측피정맥(TE4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), 배측정맥궁(TE4), 부요측피정맥(TE6, 8, 9),요측피정맥(TE10, 11), 후견봉정맥가지(TE13, 14), 후이개동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE16, 17, 18, 19, 20), 전이개동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE20), 천측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE22, 23), 중층에 후상완회선동맥(TE14), 견갑배동맥(TE15), 견갑상동맥(TE15),천측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE21), 관골측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE23), 심층에 배측중수골동맥(TE3), 배측수근동맥궁(TE4), 후골간동맥(TE4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), 전골간동맥(TE6, 7, 9)

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.834-839
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• 2007

This study was designed to determine the optimal ratio of dropwort powder in castella by adding the powder at levels of 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12% respectively. The properties of the castella were analyzed by specific gravity, specific volume, color determinations, texture properties and sensory evaluation. The Specific gravity increased with increasing amount of dropwort powder. However, the specific volume decreased with increasing dropwort powder. For the color values, as more dropwort powder was added, the L-value decreased. The castella with 9% dropwort powder had a higher hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. A sensory panel perceived that the external and internal color of the castella become darker with the dropwort powder substitution and the grain size decreased with increasing amount dropwort powder, while sweet taste showed no significant difference. The order of overall preference was DP 9>DP 6>DP 12>CON>DP 3. Therefore, the substitution of 9% of wheat flour with dropwort powder was recommended in the production of castella.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.97-124
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• 1976

To find out the most effective method of treatments for the induction of sprouting of dormant seed potato pieces for the fall crop production of Irish cobbler, this experiment was carried out with sprout inducing bed and field performance trial. In GA treatments, about 10 days were required to sprout and resulted uniform and thin 3-4 sprouts per tuber piece, but sprouts were slender and rooting was not observed. In Ethrel treatments, 20-25 days were required, and sprouts were inferior than that of GA treatment in uniformity of sprouting, and percentage of rotten pieces and of healthy sprouted tuber pieces, but number of sprouts per tuber pieces was low, being 1-2, and sprouts were short, thick, and healthy, and showed good rooting. In GA and Ethrel mixture treatments, 1-2 more days were required to sprout than GA treatments, but sprouts were relatively healthy, and other sprouting pattern were like that of GA treatments. In Ethylene chlorohydrin and 6-Benzyl-adenine treatments, sprouting was like that of Ethrel treatments, but much more days were required than Ethrel treatments and tendency of severe rotting was observed. Optimum treating methods of promising chemicals found to be 1-2 and 2-5 ppm GA solution, 500 and 1000-2000 ppm Ethrel solution, and 1-2＋250-500 and 5＋250-500 ppm GA and Ethrel mixture solution for 60 min. treatment of tuber piece and whole-tuber, respectively. Induction of sprouting in dry and hot time resulted severer rotting of tuber pieces during the induction of sprouting and with the advancement of dormancy, being delayed in date of treatment, tendency of promotion of sprouting and rooting was observed. When sprouted tuber piece was transplanted at the same date, yields were in order of Ethrel, GA and Ethrel mixture, and GA treatment, indicating the correlation between yield and healthiness of sprout and rooting status of sprouted tuber piece. In all treatments, earlier transplanting resulted higher yields.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1980

The occurrence of witches' broom of Rhus javanica was first noticed in Korea by the author in 1979. Subsequently, studies were made on the symptomatology, etiology, and transmission of the disease, as well as the effect of some antibiotics on the disease development. The results of these studies are summarized as follows: 1. Symptoms of the infected plant were characterized by dwarfing of the tree accompanied by yellowing and brooming of the foliage. 2. Electron microscopy of witches' broom diseased Rhus javanica plant revealed the occurrence of numerous mycoplasma-like organisms (MLO's) in the phloem tissue cells (sieve tube elements and phloem parenchyma cells) of the rachis and midribs of infected leaves. 3. The MLO's were bounded by a single unit membrane and contained ribosome-like granules and strands presumed to be DNA. It also appears that the MLO multiply possibly by budding as well as binary and plurinary fission. 4. In the midrib of healthy leaves, vascular bundles were collaterally discontinuous. In the diseased leaves, however, xylems were connected to each other and phloem cells showed an atrophy. Granules, which were prominent in the normal abaxial epidermis, were not observed in the peidermis of diseased leaves. 5. Electron microscopy revealed crystals or osmopholic granules in the phloem parenchyma cells, and that normal stacks of grana were not developed in the chloroplasts of infected levels. 6. The disease was experimentally transmitted by grafting. Budding was more effective than crown grafting for transmitting the disease. The disease has been transmitted by grafting even when complete union of stocks and scions has not taken place. The disease agent was not transmitted by sap inoculation. Insect transmission has not been confirmed. 7. Dipping the roots of infected plants into the 500 ppm and 1,000 solutions of either tetracycline HCI or oxytetracycline, HCI was more effective on temporary remision of the symptoms than spraying the 100 ppm and 200 ppm solutions of the same antibiotics. A greater effect was achieved through dipping into 1,000 ppm than into 500 ppm.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.234-245
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• 2021

To extend the shelf life of king oyster mushrooms for export, we investigated the impacts of mushroom quality grade, fruiting body trimming, and packaging method (tray container sealed packaging vs string-tied OPP bag packaging). Quality is divided into two grades: 1^st grade, which is mushrooms adapted by lowering the cultivation temperature to 9~11℃, and 2^nd grade, mushrooms held at 13~15℃ prior to harvest. Using selected 1^st and 2^nd grade mushrooms, 3 treatments were carried out to assess effects of trimming and packaging method. Test groups included 1) trimming plus string-tied OPP bag packaging (Cut & OPP), 2) no trimming plus string-tied OPP bag packaging (Uncut & OPP), and 3) trimming plus tray container sealing packaging (Cut & Tray). Gas composition inside the packaging, changes in quality factors, and sensory evaluation for fresh quality were performed over 42 days of 0℃ storage. Overall freshness was best maintained in the following order: Cut & Tray > Cut & OPP > Uncut & OPP for both 1^st and 2^nd grade mushrooms. The shelf-life of 1st grade mushrooms was about 30 days for Cut & Tray, 28 days for Cut & OPP, and 21 days for Uncut & OPP. The shelf-life of 2^nd grade mushrooms was about 22 days for Cut & Tray, 17 ays for Cut & OPP, and 14 days for Uncut & OPP. Factors affecting fresh mushroom quality included browning of cap and stalk, and mushroom decay index. Browning of the lower part of the stalk, with related color change as noted in a^* and b^* values were the main factors indicating quality deterioration of king oyster mushrooms.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic intractable skin disease caused by various inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, CXCL8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, as well as IL-17A secreted from Th17 cells and is characterized by hyperkeratosis and chronic inflammation of the epidermis. Brazilin, an active ingredient of Caesalpinia sappan L., is known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and function in skin barrier improvement. In particular, it was shown as a potential material for treating psoriasis in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model. However, the direct regulation of the C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20, a psoriasis-inducing factor, by brazilin has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the suppression of CCL20 and the regulatory mechanism by brazilin using a psoriasis-like model. First, brazilin downregulated CCL20 and CXCL8 in IL-17A-stimulated HaCaT cells in a concentration-dependent manner by inhibiting signal transducer and transcription (STAT)3 phosphorylation. In addition, brazilin significantly inhibited the expression of psoriasis-related genes CXCL8, CCL20, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, brazilin also had a positive effect on improving the skin barrier in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. The above results indicated that brazilin ultimately downregulated CCL20 expression by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, and also suppressed the expression of psoriasis-induced cytokines. If the efficacy of brazilin in improving psoriasis is verified through animal models and clinical trials in the future, it may represent a potentially therapeutic substance for psoriasis patients.