• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2017

3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) is a natural bromophenol compound that is most commonly isolated from red algae. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of BDB on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. BDB treatment (100 mg/kg) resulted in suppression of the development of AD symptoms compared with the control treatment (induction-only), as demonstrated by reduced immunoglobulin E levels in serum, smaller lymph nodes with reduced thickness and length, a decrease in ear edema, and reduced levels of inflammatory cell infiltration in the ears. In RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, BDB (12.5, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}M$) suppressed the production of interleukin-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, in a dose-dependent manner. BDB also had an inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; Tyr 701), two major signaling molecules involved in cellular inflammation. Taken together, the results show that BDB treatment alleviates inflammatory responses in an atopic dermatitis mouse model and RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that BDB may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating conditions involving allergic inflammation such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.403-408
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• 2001

In this work, the cyclic perfluorinated ether (c-C$_4$F$_{8}$O) with very high destructive removal efficiency (DRE) than other alternative gases, such as $C_3$F$_{8}$, c-C$_4$F$_{8}$ and NF$_3$ was used as an alternative process chemical. The plasma cleaning of silicon nitride using gas mixtures of c-C$_4$F$_{8}$O/O$_2$ and c-C$_4$F$_{8}$O/O$_2$+ $N_2$ was investigated in order to evaluate the effects of adding $N_2$ to c-C$_4$F$_{8}$O/O$_2$ on the global warming effects. Under optimum condition, the emitted net perfluorocompounds (PFCs) during cleaning of silicon nitride were quantified and then the effects of additive $N_2$ by obtaining the destructive removal efficiency (DRE) and the million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMT-CE) were calculated. DRE and MMTCE were obtained by evaluating the volumetric emission using. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). During the cleaning using c-C$_4$F$_{8}$O/O$_2$+$N_2$, DRE values as high as (equation omitted) 98% were obtained and MMTCE values were reduced by as high as 70% compared to the case of $C_2$F$_{6}$O$_2$. Recombination characteristics were indirectly investigated by combining the measurements of species in the chamber using optical emission spectroscopy (OES), before and after the cleaning, in order to understand any correlation between plasma and emission characteristics as well as cleaning rate of silicon nitride.silicon nitride.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.441-449
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• 2013

This study was conducted to select some useful plants as functional material candidates. A total of 38 plants were preliminarily screened for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The preliminarily selected 8 plants were further investigated to verify the in vitro inhibitory effect on inflammation and oxidative stress. Boehmeria platanifolia (root), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), whereas Boehmeria platanifolia (root) and Prunus yedoensis (branch) inhibited the transcription of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). Treatment with the extracts ($2.5{\sim}20{\mu}g/ml$) of Abutilon theophrasti (leaf, flower/seed) and Hemistepta lyrata (stem) did not show toxicity on RAW 264.7 cell proliferation, but treatment with $2.5{\mu}g/ml$ of Boehmeria platanifolia (root) exhibited cell toxicity. Carpinus coreana (branch) and Prunus yedoensis (branch) showed potent scavenging activities on peroxynitrite. Akebia quinata (flower), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Prunus yedoensis (branch) effectively inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abutilon theophrasti (leaf), Boehmeria platanifolia (root), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) exhibited strong inhibitory capacity with regard to nitric oxide (NO) production. The results suggested that Abutilon theophrasti (leaf) has in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and that is a useful functional material candidate.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.427-433
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• 2013

Receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis is accompanied by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in a form of oscillations, which plays essential roles by activating sequentially $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, calcineurin and NFATc1, necessary in the osteoclast differentiation. However, it is not known whether $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization which is evoked in RANKL-independent way induces to differentiate into osteoclasts. In present study, we investigated $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization induced by aluminum fluoride ($AlF_4^-$), a G-protein activator, with or without RANKL and the effects of $AlF_4^-$ on the osteoclastogenesis in primary cultured mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). We show here that $AlF_4^-$ induces intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) oscillations, which is dependent on extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Notably, co-stimulation of $AlF_4^-$ with RANKL resulted in enhanced NFATc1 expression and formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive multinucleated cells. Additionally, we confirmed that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is also activated by $AlF_4^-$. Taken together, these results demonstrate that G-protein would be a novel modulator responsible for $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ oscillations and MAPK activation which lead to enhancement of RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2012

Reciprocal hybrids between the mud loach ($Misgurnus$ $mizolepis$) and cyprinid loach ($M.$ $anguillicaudatus$) were produced by artificial fertilization. The chromosome number of mud loach was 2n=48, consisting of 12M+4SM+32A chromosomes. The cyprinid loach has 2n=50, consisting of 10M+4SM+36A chromosomes. The chromosome numbers of the diploid reciprocal hybrids were 2n=49, consisting of 11M+4SM+34A chromosomes. All the karyotypes documented in this study had the same arm number of 64. There was no evidence of chromosomal polymorphisms or sex-related heteromorphism. The cytogenetic traits of the hybrid genotypes were intermediate between those of the parent species. In all genotypes, the chromosomal NORs localized to the terminal short arms of the same metacentric chromosome pair. These results suggest that Robertsonian translocation occurred between metacentric chromosome 1 of mud loach and acrocentric chromosome of cyprinid loach.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.539-548
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• 2016

The non-noble 1D nanofibers(NFs) prepared by electrospinning and calcination method were used as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst for water electrolysis. The electrospinning process and rate of solution composition was optimized to prepare uniform and non-beaded PVP polymer electrospun NFs. The diameter and morphology of PVP NFs changed in accordance with the viscosity and ion conductivity. The clean metal precursor contained electrospun fibers were synthesized via the optimized electrospinning process and solution composition. The calcined $CuCo_2O_4$ NFs catalyst showed higher activity and long-term cycle stability for OER compared with other $Co_3O_4$, $NiCo_2O$ NF catalysts. Furthermore, the $CuCo_2O_4$ NFs maintained the OER activity during long-term cycle test compared with commercial $CuCo_2O_4$ nanoparticle catalyst due to unique physicochemical and electrochemical properties by1D nanostructure.

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.65-72
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate probiotic characteristics and immune enhancing effects of Bifidobacterium (B.) longum KBB1-26 and BIF-4, B. breve KBB5-22 isolated from human intestine for probiotic use in humans and animals. We measured acid, bile and heat tolerance, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia (E.) coli, Salmonella (S.) Enteritidis, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, and Listeria (L.) monocytogenes. Immune enhancing effects of B. longum and B. breve were investigated by measuring nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor ($NF-{\kappa}b$), $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) in RAW 264.7 cells or RAW BLUE cells. B. longum KBB1-26 was survived at pH 2.0. B. longum KBB1-26 and BIF-4, B. breve KBB5-22 also showed tolerance to 0.3% of oxgall bile salt. B. longum KBB1-26 was able to survive at $70^{\circ}C$ and $80^{\circ}C$ for 20 min. KBB1-26 showed the antimicrobial inhibition zone to pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli (12 mm), S. Enteritidis (14 mm), S. aureus (14 mm) and L. monocytogenes (41 mm). The production of NO ($4.5{\pm}0.00{\mu}M/mL$) and $IL-1{\beta}$ ($39.7{\pm}0.55pg/mL$) of KBB1-26 significantly higher than BIF-4 and KBB5-22, respectively. In addition, KBB1-26 and KBB5-22 induce the production of high level of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in macrophages. Collectively, B. longum KBB1-26 have acid, bile, heat tolerance, antimicrobial activity and immune enhancing effects. These results suggest that KBB1-26 can be used as probiotics for humans and animals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenosides of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) and its saponin components suppress secretion of inflammasome-mediating cytokines, whereas the nonsaponin fraction (NS) of RGE oppositely stimulates cytokine secretion. Although direct exposure of NS to macrophages in mice induces cytokine production, oral administration of NS has not been studied in inflammasome-related disease in animal models. Methods: Mice were fed RGE or NS for 7 days and then developed peritonitis. Peritoneal cytokines were measured, and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were collected to assay expression levels of a set of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in response to NS ingestion. In addition, the role of intestinal bacteria in NS-fed mice was assessed. The effect of preexposure to NS in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) on cytokine production was further confirmed. Results: NS ingestion attenuated secretion of peritoneal cytokines resulting from peritonitis. In addition, the isolated PECs from NS-fed mice presented lower TLR transcription levels than PECs from control diet-fed mice. BMDMs treated with NS showed downregulation of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, which was mediated by the $TLR4-MyD88-NF{\kappa}B$ signal pathway. BMDMs pretreated with NS produced less cytokines in response to TLR4 ligands. Conclusion: NS administration directly inhibits TLR4 expression in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, thereby reducing secretion of cytokines during peritonitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis through cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and flagellin as pathogen-related molecular patterns (PAMPs), which, in combination with the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of host cells promotes the expression and secretion of inflammation-causing cytokines and activates innate immune responses such as inflammasomes. To identify useful compounds against H. pylori-associated gastric disorders, the effect of chalcone derivatives to activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was examined in an H. pylori-infected human monocytic THP-1 cell line in this study. Among the five synthetic structurally-related chalcone derivatives examined, 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone (8) and 2'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (12) strongly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. At 10 μM, these compounds inhibited the production of active IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization, but did not affect the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1. The interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by these compounds was found to be mediated via the inhibition of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. These compounds also inhibited caspase-4 production associated with non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results show for the first time that certain chalcones could interrupt the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. Therefore, these chalcones may be helpful in alleviating H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders including chronic gastritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives : I investigated whether snake venom can synergistically strengthen the cytotoxic effects of NK-92 cells, and enhance the inhibition of the growth of lung cancer cells including NCI-H358 through the induction of death receptor dependent extrinsic apoptosis. Methods : Snake venom toxin inhibited cell growth of NCI-H358 Cells and exerted non influence on NK-92 cell viability. Moreover, when they were co-cultured with NK cells and concomitantly treated with $4{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of snake venom toxin, more influence was exerted on the inhibition of growth of NCI-H358 cells than BV or NK cell co-culture alone. Results : The expression of Fas, TNFR2 and DR3 and in NCI-H358 lung cancer cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells and treatment of $4{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of snake venom toxin, compared to co-culture of NK-92 cells alone. Coincidentally, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-8 - expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, demonstrated significant increase. However, in anti-apoptotic NF-${\kappa}B$ activities, activity of the signal molecule was significantly decreased by co-culture of NK-92 cells and treatment of $4{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of snake venom toxin, compared to co-culture of NK-92 cells or snake venom toxin treated by NCIH358 alone. Meanwhile, in terms of NO generation, there is a significant increase, in co-culture of NK-92 cells with NCI-H358 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cells and concomitant treatment of $4{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of snake venom toxin. However, no synergistic increase of NO generation was shown in co-culture of NK-92 cells and treatment of $4{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of snake venom toxin, compared to co-culture of NK-92 cells with NCI-H358 cells. Conclusion : Consequently, this data provides that snake venom toxin could be useful candidate compounds to suppress lung cancer growth along with the cytotoxic effect of NK-92 cells through extrinsic apoptosis.