• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2009

Since July 2005, survey of chestnut ink disease was carried out in chestnut stands located at southern parts of Korea. Dead chestnut trees showing inky ooze on necrotic trunks were found in two different locations. In order to isolate and identify the causal fungus, infected tissues and soil samples around dead or dying trees were collected and placed on Phytophthora-selective medium. Rhododendron and chestnut tree leaves were used as a bait to isolate the fungus from soil samples by attracting zoospores in soil suspensions. On V-8 culture medium, the isolates produced homothallic oogonia with protuberances ($34.0-46.2{\times}21.9-26.7{\mu}m$) abundantly, but did not produced sporangia. Mass production of sporangia was possible by immersing agar plugs with actively growing mycelium in the creek water at $18^{\circ}C$ for 3 days. Sporangia were papillate, and ovoid to obpyriform ($17.0-38.9{\times}14.6-29.2{\mu}m$) in shape. Comparison of the ITS sequences revealed that the isolates had 100% identity to the P. katsurae isolates from Japan and New Zealand and 99.6% identity to other P. katsurae isolates. All of the examined isolates from Korea were completely identical to each other in ITS sequence. Numerous sporangia were formed in filtered as well as unfiltered creek water, but no sporangia formed in sterilized distilled water. Light induced sporangia formation, but has no influence on oospore formation. Amendments of ${\beta}$-sitosterol in culture media have no significant effect on mycelial growth but significantly stimulate oospore and sporangia formation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.662-668
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of methanolic extracts of 10 kinds of wild vegetables cultivated in Gangwon province on antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase, and β-secretase inhibitory activities. Results showed that among the wild vegetables, Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem shoot extract exhibited the highest total phenol content (84.65±1.08 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoids content (70.77±0.55 mg RE/g), respectively. The antioxidant activity of wild vegetables extracts was measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem shoot extracts had the highest DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity (90.16%, 40.18% at 2 mg/mL). As a result, Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem shoot extract was the most effective in terms of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (35.94% at 1 mg/mL). In the β-secretase activity assay, all 10 kinds wild vegetables extracts showed low inhibitory activity, and Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem shoot extract had highest inhibitory activity among the 10 wild vegetables extracts was 14.99%. Taken together, these results showed that Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem shoot extract has potential cognition improvement impact, suggesting that it may provide an effective strategy for improving cognition.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1154-1157
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• 2006

The ermK gene from Bacillus lichenformis encodes an inducible rRNA methylase that confers resistance to the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antibiotics. The ermK mRNA leader sequence has a total length of 357 nucleotides and encodes a 14-amino acid leader peptide together with its ribosome binding site. The secondary structure of ermK leader mRNA and a leader peptide sequence have been reported as the elements that control expression. In this study, the contribution of specific leader peptide amino acid residues to induction of ermK was studied using the PCR-based megaprimer mutation method. ermK methylases with altered leader peptide codons were translationally fused to E. coli ${\beta}-galactosidase$ reporter gene. The deletion of the codons for Thr-2 through Ser-4 reduced inducibility by erythromycin, whereas that for Thr-2 and His-3 was not. The replacement of the individual codons for Ser-4, Met-5 and Arg-6 with termination codon led to loss of inducibility, but stop mutation of codon Phe-9 restored inducibility by erythromycin. Collectively, these findings suggest that the codons for residue 4, 5 and 6 comprise the critical region for induction. The stop mutation at Leu-7 expressed constitutively ermK gene. Thus, ribosome stalling at codon 7 appears to be important for ermK induction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.423-428
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• 1998

Aceclofenac is an orally effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent of the phenylacetic acid derivative. Bioequivalence study of two aceclofenac preparations, the test drug (Senafe $n_{R}$: Daewon Phar-maceutical Company) and the reference drug (Airta $l_{R}$: Daewoong Pharmaceutical Company), was conducted according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Sixteen healthy male volunteers, 24$\pm$4 years old and 63.9$\pm$6.9 kg of body weight in average, were divided randomly into two groups and administered the drug orally at the dose of 100 mg as aceclofenac in a 2$\times$2 crossover study. Plasma concentrations of aceclofenac were monitored by HPLC method for 12 hr after administration. AU $Co_{-12h}$ (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from initial to 12 hr) was calculated by the linear trapezoidal method. $C_{max}$ (maximum plasma drug concentration) and $T_{max}$ (time to reach $C_{msx}$) were compiled directly from the plasma drug concentration-time data. Student's t-test indicated no significant differences between the formulations in these parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there are no differences in AU $Co_{12h}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ between the formulations. The apparent differences between the formulations were far less than 20% (e.g., 0.25, 0.01 and 7.32 for AU $Co_{-12h}$, $C_{max}$. and $T_{max}$, respectively). Minimum detectable differences (%) between the formulations at $\alpha$=0.05 and 1-$\beta$=0.8 were less than 20% (e.g., 14.65, 12.47 and 15.46 for AU $Co_{-l2h}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals for these parameters were also within $\pm$ 20% (e.g.,-10.19~10.68, -8.87~8.89 and -3.69~ 18.33 for AU $Co_{-12h}$, $C_{msx}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively). These results satisfy the bioequivalence criteria of KFDA guidelines, indicating that two formulations of aceclofenac are bioequivalent.quivalent.ivalent.ent.t.ent.

• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.261-273
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• 2017

Fine dust (FD) particles have become a major contributor to air pollution causing detrimental effects on the respiratory system and skin. Although some studies have investigated the effects of FD on the respiratory system, their possible effects on the skin remain under-explored. We investigated the FD mediated inflammatory responses in keratinocytes, present in the outer layers of skin tissues and the transfer of inflammatory potential to macrophages. We further evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenolic derivative, diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) isolated from Ishige okamurae against FD-induced inflammation. Size distribution of FD particles was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. FD particles induced the production of cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in HaCaT keratinocytes and the expression of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), $PGE_2$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Further, we evaluated the inflammatory potential of the culture medium of inflammation-induced HaCaT cells in RAW 264.7 macrophages and observed a marked increase in the expression of NO, iNOS, $PGE_2$, and proinflammatory cytokines. DPHC treatment markedly attenuated the inflammatory responses, indicating its effectiveness in suppressing a broad range of inflammatory responses. It also showed anti-inflammatory potential in in-vivo experiments using FD-stimulated zebrafish embryos by decreasing NO and reactive oxygen species production, while eventing cell death caused by inflammation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3527-3531
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• 2016

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2 ), a member of the TGF-${\beta}$ family, has been used widely in recent years to regenerate defects of the maxillary and mandible bones. Such defects are sometimes caused by resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) yet the biologic effects of rhBMP-2 on these carcinomas are not fully clear. The objective of this study was to determine histologically whether rhBMP-2 produces adverse effects on angiogenesis during induction of OSCC, a biologic process critical for tumor formation in an experimental model in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters. Buccal cavities were exposed to painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks, then biopsies were taken. Division was into 2 groups: a study group of 10 hamsters receiving $0.25{\mu}g/ml$ of rhBMP-2 in the $3^{rd}$ and $6^{th}$ weeks; and a control group of 10 hamsters which did not receive any additional treatment. VEGF expression and microvessel density were measured but no differences were noted between the two groups. According to this study, rh-BMP-2 does not stimulate angiogenesis during induction of OCSSs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.314-320
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• 2020

Background: The accumulation of unpaired α-globin chains in patients with β-thalassemia major may clinically create ineffective erythropoiesis, hemolysis, and chronic anemia. Multiple blood transfusions and iron overload cause cellular oxidative damage. However, α-tocopherol, an antioxidant, is a potent scavenger of lipid radicals in the membranes of red blood cells (RBCs) of patients with β-thalassemia major. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of α-tocopherol on hemolysis and oxidative stress markers on the RBC membranes of patients with β-thalassemia major. Methods: Forty subjects included in this randomized controlled trial were allocated to the placebo and α-tocopherol groups. Doses of α-tocopherol were based on Institute of Medicine recommendations: 4-8 years old, 200 mg/day; 9-13 years old, 400 mg/day; 14-18 years old, 600 mg/day. Hemolysis, oxidative stress, and antioxidant variables were evaluated before and after 4-week α-tocopherol or placebo treatment, performed before blood transfusions. Results: Significant enhancements in plasma haptoglobin were noted in the α-tocopherol group (3.01 mg/dL; range, 0.60-42.42 mg/dL; P=0.021). However, there was no significant intergroup difference in osmotic fragility test results; hemopexin, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), or oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels; or GSH/GSSG ratio. Conclusion: Use of α-tocopherol could indirectly improve hemolysis and haptoglobin levels. However, it played no significant role in oxidative stress or as an endogen antioxidant marker in β-thalassemia major.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1469-1476
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• 2007

Jeot-gal is a traditional Korean fermented seafood and has long been used for seasoning. We isolated 188 strains from shrimp, anchovy, and yellow corvina Jeot-gal, and screened sixteen strains that showed strong fibrinolytic activities on a fibrin plate. Among those strains, the strain that had the largest halo zone was chosen and identified as Bacillus licheniformis by using 16S rDNA sequencing and an API CHB kit. The fibrinolytic activity of Bacillus licheniformis was characterized and designated as bpKJ-31. The active component of bpKJ-31 was identified as a 37 kDa protein, designated bacillopeptidase F, by internal peptide mapping and N-terminal sequencing. The optimum activity of bpKJ-31 was shown at pH 9 and $40^{\circ}C$, with a chromogenic substrate for plasmin. It had high degrading activity for the $B{\beta}$-chain and $A{\alpha}$-chain of fibrin(ogen), and also acted on thrombin, but not skim milk and casein. The amidolytic activity of bpKJ-31 was inhibited by 1 mM phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, but 1 mM EDTA did not affect the enzyme activity, indicating that bpKJ-31 is an alkaline serine protease, like a plasmin. The bpKJ-31 showed approximately 14.3% higher fibrinolytic activity than the plasmin. These features of bpKJ-31 make it attractive as a health-promoting biomaterial.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2008

The nickel and cobalt resistance of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 is mediated by the CnrCBA efflux pump encoded by the cnrYHXCBAT metal resistance determinant. The products of the three genes cnrYXH transcriptionally regulate expression of cnr. CnrY and CnrX are membrane-bound proteins, probably functioning as anti-sigma factors, whereas CnrH is a cnr-specific extracytoplasmic functions (ECF) sigma factor. The periplasmic domain of CnrX (residues 29-148) was cloned as a N-terminal His-tagged protein, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified using affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The molecular mass was estimated to be about 13.6kDa by size exclusion chromatography, corresponding to a monomer. The tetragonal bipyramid crystals were obtained by mixing an equal volume of protein in 50mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 1% glycerol, 100mM NaCl, 1mM DTT, and the reservoir solution of 15% w/v PEG 2000, 100mM lithium chloride at 277K in 2-4 days using hanging drop vapor diffusion. The protein concentration was 24mg/ml. The crystal that diffracted to $2.42{\AA}$ resolution belongs to space group $P4_1\;or\;P4_3$ with unit cell parameters of $a=b=32.14{\AA},\;c=195.31{\AA},\;{\alpha}={\beta}={\gamma}=90^{\circ}$, with one molecule of CnrX in the asymmetric unit.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.1 s.144
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• pp.21-27
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• 2006

Yeast based estrogenicity assay is the simplest and useful for the assay and the discovery of novel estrogenic substances in natural specimens, The estrogen receptor(ER) modulation activity of 50% EtOH extracts of 101 traditional medicinal herbs was assessed using a recombinant yeast assay system with both a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a receptor plasmid. Among them, 14 species proved to be active. Pureariae Flos (flower of Puerraria thunbergiana BENTH.) had the highest estrogenic relative potency$(7.75{\times}10^{-3})$ $(EC_{50}=9.39\;{\mu}g/ml)$. The $EC_{50}$ value of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ used as the positive control was $0.073\;{\mu}g/ml)$ (Relative Potency=1.00). There results demonstrated that some of the traditional medical herb may be useful in the therapy of estrogen replacement.