• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2007

Environmental contamination becomes a great public concern as our society gets industrialized rapidly. The present study examine the role of chitosan in a effort to intervene the environmental pollutant-induced toxicity. PCB-induced neurotoxicity with respect to the PKC signaling was examined. Since the developing neuron is particularly sensitive to PCB-induced neurotoxicity, we isolated cerebellar granule cells derived from 7-day old SD rats and grew cells in culture for additional 7 days to mimic PND-14 conditions. PCB showed the alteration of PKC signaling pathway. The alteration was structure-dependent. Mono-ortho-substituted congeners at a high dose showed a significant increase of total PKC activity at [$^3H$]PDBu binding assay, indicating that mono-ortho-substituted congeners are more neuroactive than non-ortho-substituted congeners in neuronal cells. PKC isoforms were immunoblotted with respective monoclonal antibodies. PKC-beta II and -epsilon were activated with mono-ortho-substituted congeners exposure. The result suggests that the position with ortho has a higher potential of altering the signaling pathway. Alteration of PKC was blocked with treatment of high molecular weight of chitosan. The study demonstrated that the ortho position in PCBs are important in assessing the structure-activity relationship. The results suggest a potential use of marine bioactive materials as a means of nutritional intervention to prevent the harmful effects of pollutant-derived toxicity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2012

In order to develop eco-friendly biopesticide, an entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus temperata M1021 has been lyophilized via freeze-drying along with protective agents such as skim milk, starch, sodium alginate, glucose and sodium glutamate to protect cells from lysis. Freeze-drying powder of P. temperata M1021 containing 7% skim milk (w/v) showed highest survival rate of 63% among all the protective agents used in trials. Furthermore, the freeze-dried microbial powder showed 75% of survival rate after stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks at air contact conditions. Injection toxicity of the freeze-dried sample was tested against larvae of Galleria mellonella. A dose of $2.0{\times}10^1$ cells of P. temperata M1021 killed 100% of the G. mellonella larvae within 4 days after injection. Moreover, $2.0{\times}10^0$ cells caused 50% mortality within the 4 days after injection. Freeze-dried P. temperata M1021 strains exhibited effective insecticidal activity and could be a better candidate for being used as a biopesticide.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2014

In this study, the extracts of Inula britannica var. chinensis (I. britannica) flower were extracted at three different temperatures (room temperature, $45^{\circ}C$, and $65^{\circ}C$) and their anti-aging effects were studied. Before investigating anti-aging effects of the extracts, their cytotoxicity was tested on B16F10, Hs683, and HaCaT cells. All extracts showed no cytotoxicity at the concentration less than 0.1% (v/v). Melanin synthesis inhibitory activities in B16F10 cells and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in Hs683 and HaCaT cells were used to see their anti-aging effects. The room temperature extract at 0.1% showed 24.5% melanin synthesis inhibition, which was better than the $45^{\circ}C$ and $65^{\circ}C$ extracts. In addition, expression rates of the room temperature extract at 0.1% on HAS-1, HAS-2, and HAS-3 related to hyaluronan synthase genes were 123.3%, 137.8%, 133.2%, respectively. which were higher than reference material of L-ascorbic acid. Expression rates of the $45^{\circ}C$ extract at 0.1% on TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2, and IL-$1{\alpha}$, which are inflammatory related genes, was suppressed to 30.3%, 12.8%, 25.7%, respectively. It was better in anti-in flammatory effect than the room temperature and $65^{\circ}C$ extracts. As results, we showed that I. britannica var. chinensis flower extarcts decreased melanin production and expression of inflammatory related genes and increased the expression rate of hyaluronan synthase genes. Thus, it is believed that the extracts affect anti-aging effects of skin through whitening, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory processes and could be applicable to cosmetics as a functional cosmetic ingredient.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 1994

Inhibition of the nociceptive Tail Flick Reflex (TFR) was observed with electrical stimulation of the locus coeruleus/subcoeruleus (LC/SC) in the male Sprague - Dawley rats under light anesthesia, and the involved neurotransmitter (s) were characterized. Electrical stimulation of LC/SC induced the analgesia with the stimulation threshold (intensity of the current, given for 100 usec and in 100 Hz frequency, which caused the TF latency longer than 6.5 sec) around 55 uA. Intrathecal administrations of ${\alpha}_2$ antagonist, yohimbine (30 ug) or opioid antagonist, naloxone (20 ug) increased the stimulation threshold by 147% and 123% respectively (from 55 uA to 135 uA,9 and from 54 uA to 123 uA;P0.01, n=5, each). The basal TF latency without stimulation (3.1 sec) was reduced by the antagonists (to 2.5 sec by yohimbine, p<0.05, n=5; to 2.6 sec by naloxone, p<0.1, n=5), vehicle only did not show any effect. Noradrenaline(NA) in the spinal cord superfusates measured with HPLC was increased by the LC/SC stimulation, from 4.18 ng/ml before to 7.74 ng/ml after stimulation (P<0.05, n=10). The result suggest that analgesia induced by LC/SC stimulation is mediated, at least in part, by the noradrenergic system in which ${\alpha}_2$ receptor is involved, as well as the opioid system.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sperm viability, normal acrosome and mitochondrial activity in the frozen-thawed fowl semen by different cryoprotectants. The experiment was carried out on 10 sexually adult roosters of Ogye. The semen was collected twice a week and pooled semen was diluted 1:1 EK extender containing no cryoprotectant at $5^{\circ}C$. After equilibration for 30 minutes, diluted chicken semen was diluted 1:1 extender containing either 7% dimethylacetamide (DMA), 7% dimethylformamide (DMF) or 7.5% methylacetamide (MA) at final concentration and was put in 0.5 mL plastic straws and frozen for 30 minutes by exposure to liquid nitrogen vapor 4 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen, followed by plunging into liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen was thawed in water bath at $5^{\circ}C$ for 2 minutes. For cytometric analysis, the frozen-thawed semen was diluted with EK extender to a final concentration of 90 million spermatozoa per mL. Sperm membrane integrity was evaluated as SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI). Acrosome integrity was assessed with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled PSA and PI. The percentage of mitochondrial function was estimated by using Rhodamine123 (R123) and PI. In conclusion, freezing rooster semen by using 7% DMF as cryoprotectant was significantly highest in rates of survival and mitochondrial function while its rate of damage of acrosome was significantly lowest. As a result, DMF is the cryoprotectant that has the lowest influences on sperm membranes and acrosome integrity. Therefore it could be used for freezing method of animal genetic conservation method for poultry diversity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.771-776
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• 2005

In recent days, there is much interest in the biocidal activity of silver since silver is known to be safe and effective as disinfectant and biocidal material against coliforms and viruses. In particular, nano silted silver particles which can be used as effective biocidal material received more attention. Accordingly, it is important to investigate antimicrobial activity and mechanism of nano sized silver particles prepared in a cost-effective manner. In this study, nano sized silver particles were prepared via photoreduction of a silver salt ($AgNO_3$) in the bulk phase of $PEO_{20}-PPO_{70}-PEO_{20}$ (Pluronic 123) block copolymer The antimicrobial efficacy of silver nano particles against E. coli was investigated and compared with that of silver ion as the concentration of silver nano particles, pH ($5.6{\sim}8.2$), temperature ($4^{\circ}C{\sim}35^{\circ}C$) varied in aqueous system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine the nature of damaged microorganism with nano sized silver particles and silver ion. This study showed that antimicrobial efficacy of silver nano particles was approximately one twentieth than that of silver ion. It was more biocidal at higher pH in contrast with silver ion. In addition, nano silver particles was demonstrated to disrupt the outer membrane of E. coli, subsequently causing their aggregation. On the other hand, silver ion diffused into the cell damaging the cytoplasmic membrane without disrupting the outer membrane of E. coli.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1785-1792
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the antidiabetic, alcohol metabolism, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of Acer tegmentosum extracts (ATE). A. tegmentosum has been traditionally used as a folk medicine to treat hepatic disorders. The antioxidative activities of ATE were measured by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and superoxide (SOD) assay. DPPH radical scavenging and SOD activities of ATE were about 89% and 82.9% at $0.5{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activities were 118.0% and 177% at 2 mg/mL, respectively. ${\alpha}-Glucosidase$ inhibitory activity of ATE was 75% higher at $50{\mu}g/mL$ and remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner. Nitric oxide productions in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide was reduced to 16.7% by addition of ATE at 1 mg/mL. ATE showed significant protective effects against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells at $100{\mu}g/mL$. Based on our results, we conclude that ATE may be used as a major pharmacological agent and anti-diabetic, anti-hepatitis, and anti-inflammatory remedy.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2001

When mammalian oocytes undergo maturation, cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte exhibit remodeling of their structure known as cumulus expansion. Many molecules including hyaluronic acid participate in this remodeling. The present study aimed to investigate a possible existence of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in the extracellular matrix(ECM) of human oocyte-cumulus complex. ECM was extracted from the human oocyte-cumulus complex. Gelatin gel zymogram of ECM exhibited 7 gelatinases having molecular weight of 300kDa, 240kDa, 200kDa, 180kDa, 116kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa. This gelatinase profile was very different from that of ovarian mural granulosa cell extract or white blood cell extract, indicating that the oocyte-cumulus complex donating ECM was free from other than cumulus cells. When ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or 1', 10'-phenanthroline was added to the reaction buffer during zymographic development, almost gelatinase activities were abolished, suggesting that they were MMPs. Following incubation of ECM in the presence of aminophenylmercuric acetate, an activator of proMMPs, 4 gelatinases of 240kDa, 180kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa disappeared with the concomitant appearance of 80kDa, 65kDa, and 60kDa gelatinases. Based upon these observation, it is suggested that ECM of the human oocyte-cumulus complex consists of gelatinases, presumed to be MMP-2 and MMP-9 isoforms.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2023

Objective: The heart contains a pool of c-kit⁺ progenitor cells which is believed to be able to regenerate. The differentiation of these progenitor cells is reliant on different physiological cues. Unraveling the underlying signals to direct differentiation of progenitor cells will be beneficial in controlling progenitor cell fate. In this regard, the role of the mitochondria in mediating cardiac progenitor cell fate remains unclear. Specifically, the association between changes in mitochondrial morphology with the differentiation status of c-kit⁺ CPCs remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the relationship between mitochondrial morphology and the differentiation status of c-kit⁺ progenitor cells. Methods and Results: c-kit⁺ CPCs were isolated from 2-month-old male wild-type FVB mice. To activate differentiation, CPCs were incubated in α-minimal essential medium containing 10 nM dexamethasone for up to 7 days. To inhibit Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation, either 10 μM or 50 μM mdivi-1 was administered once at Day 0 and again at Day 2 of differentiation. To inhibit calcineurin, either 1 μM or 5 μM ciclosporin-A (CsA) was administered once at Day 0 and again at Day 2 of differentiation. Dexamethasone-induced differentiation of c-kit⁺ progenitor cells is aligned with fragmentation of the mitochondria via a calcineurin-Drp1 pathway. Pharmacologically inhibiting mitochondrial fragmentation retains the undifferentiated state of the c-kit⁺ progenitor cells. Conclusions: The findings from this study provide an alternative view of the role of mitochondrial fusion-fission in the differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells and the potential of pharmacologically manipulating the mitochondria to direct progenitor cell fate.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.123-135
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• 2001

Several growth factors and polypeptides were studied for the regeneration of periodontal supporting tissues which had been lost due to periodontal disease. But these are not commonly used for regenerators of bone tissue or alveolar bone, because of the insufficiency of studies on their side effects, genetic engineering for mass production and stability for clinical application. Recently, many natural products, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential or periodontal tissues. Cnidii Rhizoma, Rhinocerotis Cornu and Drynariae Rhizoma have been traditionally used as a drug for treatment of bone disease in oriental medicine. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase synthesis of MC3T3-E1 cells when above medicines were supplimented. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with ${\alpha}-MEM(negative control)$, dexamethasone(positive control), and each natural products for 3 and 5 days. And then ALP synthesis was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and by naphthol AS-BI staining for morphometry. Except Cnidii Rhizoma, all of the natural products of this study induced higher activity of ALP synthesis than controls. Among them Drynariae Rhizoma induced the highest activity. In the aspects of culturing time, all medicines did not showed the difference between 3 and 5 days, but $10^{-7}g/ml$ group of Rhinocerotis Corun showed significant increase at 3 days than at 5 days. These results indicate that several natural products have a inducing ability of ALP synthesis on osteoblasts.