• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.2771-2775
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• 2010

We present a rapid biogenic method for the production of nanoscale gold particles using pear extract. The formation and stability of pear-derived gold nanoparticles (Pear-AuNPs) were monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Their morphology, elemental composition and crystalline phase were determined by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The average core size of crystalline Pear-AuNPs was in the range of $10{\pm}5\;nm$ and the observed morphology was spherical. The X-ray photoelectron spectrum showed a strong peak for the pure 'Au' phase. The circular dichroism spectrum indicated the natural capping ability of the pear extract, which generated peptide-gold nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were stable in aqueous solution for two months. A cell viability assay of Pear-AuNPs showed biocompatibility with human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Accordingly, this eco-friendly process for the bio-mimetic production of Pear-AuNPs is nontoxic in nature; consequently, it will find potential application in nano-biotechnology.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2020

Drosophila hematopoiesis is comparable to mammalian differentiation of myeloid lineages, and therefore, has been a useful model organism in illustrating the molecular and genetic basis for hematopoiesis. Multiple novel regulators and signals have been uncovered using the tools of Drosophila genetics. A Runt domain protein, lozenge, is one of the first players recognized and closely studied in the hematopoietic lineage specification. Here, we explore the role of lozenge in determination of prohemocytes into a special class of hemocyte, namely the crystal cell, and discuss molecules and signals controlling the lozenge function and its implication in immunity and stress response. Given the highly conserved nature of Runt domain in both invertebrates and vertebrates, studies in Drosophila will enlighten our perspectives on Runx-mediated development and pathologies.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2008

The histological morphology on the skin of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus was described in the three regions such as dorsal, lateral, occiput and subsequently morphological variations of the skin were monthly observed for a year. The skin consisted of epidermis having epithelial cell, club cell and mucus cell, and dermis of mainly connective tissue fiber, embedded scale and blood capillary. Unicellular mucus cells situated at the epidermis underwent seasonal change in its size, as well as number and amounts of mucus-secreting materials, which they greatly increased in winter, but did not in summer. As it is getting cold, the mucus cells' shape changed from initial spherical to oval or elongated form. Such considerable changes in the mucus cell were particularly most evident in the occiput during winter. Moreover, the dermis largely thickened about 2~3 times in winter than in summer. Based on these results, we discussed function for the mucus on what it mainly acts in nature and information on whether mucus cells' seasonal variations affect on hibernation and cutaneous respiration.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.639-647
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• 2005

The aim of this study is to determine the outbreaks of nontoxic Gonyaulax polygramma Stein in Yeosu waters in place of harmful Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef, which has occurred annually in the same region since 1995. The observation of cellular arrangement and structure by electron microscopy showed that G. polygramma isolated from Yeosu waters had a few spines connecting with membranes and prominent longitudinal ridges on the cell surface, with a cingular displacement 1.5 times their cell width. Furthermore, the location of the nucleus was posterior of large oval formation according to electron microscopy. On 6 August, 2004, the first bloom of G. polygramma occurred, the date of its disappearance was with a maximum cell density of 8,000 cells $ml^{-1}$ on 21 August, 2004. During the period of this study, the horizontal distribution of sea water temperature and salinity showed a strong coastal front, whereas the front of DIN (Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen) was significantly different between the occurrence and disappearance of G. polygramma blooms. These results suggested that the process of the breakdown of stratification by wind and a low level of inorganic nitrogen play important roles in the rapid growth of G. polygramma, which is associated with a greater robustness in growth against DIN than that of C. polykrikoides in nature.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2012

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been extensively studied in recent years. However, functions of these molecules in murine B cell biology are largely unknown. A TLR4 stimulant, LPS is well known as a powerful polyclonal activator for murine B cells. Methods: In this study, we explored the effect of a murine TLR9 stimulant, M6-395 (a synthetic CpG ODNs) on B cell proliferation and Ig production. Results: First, M6-395 was much more potent than LPS in augmenting B cell proliferation. As for Ig expression, M6-395 facilitated the expression of both TGF-${\beta}1$-induced germ line transcript ${\alpha}$ ($GLT{\alpha}$) and IL-4-induced $GLT{\gamma}1$ as levels as those by LPS and Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2 agonist) : a certain Ig GLT expression is regarded as an indicative of the corresponding isotype switching recombination. However, IgA and IgG1 secretion patterns were quite different--these Ig isotype secretions by M6-395 were much less than those by LPS and Pam3CSK4. Moreover, the increase of IgA and IgG1 production by LPS and Pam3CSK4 was virtually abrogated by M6-395. The same was true for the secretion of IgG3. We found that this unexpected phenomena provoked by M6-395 is attributed, at least in part, to its excessive mitogenic nature. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that M6-395 can act as a murine polyclonal activator but its strong mitogenic activity is unfavorable to Ig isotype switching.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2013

Microglia play a role in maintaining and resolving brain tissue homeostasis. In pathological conditions, microglia release pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic factors, which aggravate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Autophagy pathway might be involved in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic factors in microglia, though details of the mechanism remain largely unknown. In the present study, we examined the role of the autophagy pathway in activated BV2 microglia cells. In BV2 cells, rapamycin treatment activated the formation of anti-LC3-labeled autophagosomes, whereas the ATG5 depletion using siRNA-ATG5 prevented the formation of LC3-labeled autophagosomes, indicating that BV2 cells exhibit an active classical autophagy system. When treated with LPS, BV2 cells expressed an increase of anti-LC3-labeled dots. The levels of LC3-labeled dots were not suppressed, instead tended to be enhanced, by the inhibition of the autophagy pathway with siRNA-ATG5 or wortmannin, suggesting that LPS-induced LC3-labeled dots in nature were distinct from the typical autophagosomes. The levels of LPS-induced expression of iNOS and IL6 were suppressed by treatment with rapamycin, and conversely, their expressions were enhanced by siRNA-ATG5 treatment. Moreover, the activation of the autophagy pathway using rapamycin inhibited cell death of LPS-stimulated microglia. These results suggest that although microglia possess a typical autophagy pathway, the glial cells express a non-typical autophagy pathway in response to LPS, and the activation of the autophagy pathway suppresses the expression of iNOS and IL6, and the cell death of LPS-stimulated microglia.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2003

Tributyltin (TBT) used world-wide in antifouling paints for ships is a widespread environmental pollutant and cause reproductive organs atrophy in rodents. At low doses, antiproliferative modes of action have been shown to be involved, whereas at higher doses apoptosis seems to be the mechanism of toxicity in reproductive organs by TBT. In this study, we investigated that the mechanisms underlying DNA fragmentation induced by TBT in the rat leyding cell line, R2C. Effects of TBT on intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated in R2C cells by fluorescence detector. TBT significantly induced intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level in a time-dependent manner. The rise in intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level was followed by a time-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the cytosol level. Simultaneously, TBT induced the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial membrane into the cytosol. Furthermore, ROS production and the release of cytochrome c were reduced by BAPTA, an intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ chelator, indicating the important role of Ca$\^$2+/ in R2C during these early intracellular events. In addition, Z-DEVD FMK, a caspase-3 inhibitor, decreased apoptosis by TBT. Taken together, the present results indicated that the apoptotic pathway by TBT might start with an increase in intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level, continues with release of ROS and cytochrome c from mitochondria, activation of caspases,and finally results in DNA fragmentation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.503-511
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and clinical efficacy of a sample (A.C.C. extracts) obtained by distillation extraction of 14 herbal medicines including Phellodendron bark. To confirm this, the amount of nitric oxide (NO) produced by the cells in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the changes in the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were determined. The results showed that A.C.C. extracts strongly inhibited the production of NO and inflammatory cytokines increased by LPS without cytotoxicity. In addition, A.C.C. extracts showed strong bacterial reduction rates of 99.9% in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans. These findings indicate that A.C.C. extracts are effective ingredients with a strong antimicrobial effect together with an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, when A.C.C. extracts were applied to infants and toddlers who were suffering from diaper rash, itching, and perspiration symptoms, symptoms of rash, atopy, rash, itching, and heat rash were improved. After the lapse of time, it was visually confirmed that it was considerably relaxed. These findings confirm that A.C.C. extracts comprise a clinically effective anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent that alleviates symptoms such as diaper rash and fever and may therefore be an effective alternative to inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 1998

Temperate phages were effectively induced from presumptive lysogenized cells of 96 strains out of 111 strains of L. garvieae No. 44 strains (phage type B) as the host cell. Similar cultures in distilled water-based TSB did not induce lytic infection in these cells. These temperate phages were also effectively induced by ultraviolet irradiation. All phages isolated were lytic only to L. garvieae No. 44 strain and the lytic nature was different from those of PLgY, PLgW, and PLgS. The virions appeared extracellularly after 1h of induction culture and increased in number until reaching the maximum of $10^6$ PFU/ml after 12h. This phage production was lower than that ($10^{10}$ PFU/ml) of the virulent phage.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2010

Single cell PCR analysis and light and scanning electron microscopic techniques were utilized to identify free living bivalve larvae in the coastal waters of Tae-an, on the west coast of Korea. Through DNA sequencing, venerid clam larvae were isolated and identified as Ruditapes philippinarum (99% similarity) and Meretrix lusoria (99%). Under microscopic observation, the D-veliger stage of R. philippinarum exhibited symmetrical shoulder angles and an elliptical ventral form. In contrast, M. lusoria displayed asymmetrical shoulder angles and a round ventral form in the umbonal stage. Size of the R. philippinarum larvae was $156{\pm}22{\mu}m$ in length, $126{\pm}12{\mu}m$ in height, $92{\pm}14{\mu}m$ in width with a length: height ratio of 1.23. Meretrix lusoria was $202{\pm}44{\mu}m$ in length, $161{\pm}35{\mu}m$ in height, $96{\pm}38{\mu}m$ in width with a length: height ratio of 1.25. Experimental results indicate that morphological and molecular characteristics provide evidence for the larval identification of these two venerid clam larvae species in nature.