• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1147-1153
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• 2006

Mizoribine (MZR) has been shown to possess immunosuppressive activity that selectively inhibits the proliferation of lymphocytes by interfering with inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. The efficacy of MZR is not only in patients who have had renal transplantation, but also in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus nephritis, and primary nephritic syndrome. Because the exact mechanism of its immunosuppressive action is not clear, the object of this study was to examine the ability of MZR to regulate the antigen presenting cells (APCs), dendritic cells (DCs). In this work, we tested whether MZR ($1{\sim}10\;{\mu}g/mL$) could inhibit the cross-presentation of DCs. DC2.4 cells ($H-2K^{b}$) or bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) generated from BM cells of C57BL/6 mouse ($H-2K^{b}$) were cultured in the presence of MZR with OVA-microspheres, and the amount of OVA peptide-class I MHC complexes was measured by a T cell hybridoma, B3Z, that recognizes OVA (257-264 : SIINFEKL)-$H-2K^{b}$ complex and expresses-galactosidase. MZR profoundly inhibited the expression of SIINFEKL-$H-2K^{b}$ complexes. This inhibitory activity of MZR appeared to affect the phagocytic activity of DCs. MZR also decreased IL-2 production when we examined the effects of MZR on $CD4^{+}$ T cells. These results provide an understanding of the mechanism of immunosuppressive activity of MZR on the inhibition of MHC-restricted antigen presentation and phagocytic activity in relation to their actions on APCs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.376-390
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• 2013

The purpose of this study are as follows : First, This study conceptually and artificially defines concepts of OCB, absorptive capacity, IT group-efficacy, and TTF. Second, this study confirms the relationship among the KMS performance, the result of using KMS, and the result drawn from OCB, absorptive capacity, group-efficacy, and TTF by the preceding researches, suggesting the research model and verifying through empirical study. Lastly, this study suggests the practical and strategic advices to the groups wanting to get on the edge through KMS. The results of data analysis showed that TTF was found to have a positive influence on KMS performance. IT group-efficacy and absorptive capacity were also found to have a positive effect on TTF. And IT group-efficacy was found to have a positive influence on OCB. The findings are discussed and further research topics are suggested as well.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.147-150
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• 2014

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2010

Currently, understanding the characters of Rural Industrial Parks' regional distribution is insufficient. Therefore, regional characters of the Rural Industrial Parks all over the country were studied through indications such as sales, worker-sales increase rate, worker increase rates. Portfolio analysis and IDW by using ArcView 3.2 were used as a method of analysis. As a result, most of the Rural Industrial Parks' size and size increase rate showed low figures. Respective regional analysis shows that there is an increase in the scale of the Kyungnam area using portfolio analysis, whereas the scale of Chonbuk is high using IDW. As a result, it shows that there is difference on the scale between Rural Industrial Parks when individual or Associated with peripheral. Therefore, not only do the Rural Industrial Parks need stimulation individually, but adjacent parks need to be supported and managed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.367-367
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• 2016

우리나라는 하상계수가 큰 하천의 특성 때문에 콘크리트 구조의 고정보를 설치하여 하천수위를 유지하고, 취수용으로 사용하여 왔다. 그러나 고정보는 유수방해, 토사퇴적으로 인한 홍수위 상승 등의 다양한 문제를 야기시키고 있다. 이에 따라 4대강에는 다양한 형상과 운영방식이 적용된 가동보가 설치되었으며, 소하천과 중규모 하천 역시 하천기능의 복원을 위한 정비사업이 진행되고 있다. 하천관리의 목표는 하천의 이수, 치수 및 생태환경 기능의 종합적이며, 유기적인 관계를 조화롭게 유지하면서 각 기능을 극대화시키는 것이다. 우선, 토사의 퇴적을 사전에 예방하고, 퇴적된 토사는 유수에 따라 배출될 수 있도록 하단방류 형식으로 개선되어야 한다. 또한 홍수기에는 통수가 원활하도록 보의 기능을 해제할 수 있어야 하는 한편, 하류구간이 범람하지 않도록 상류구간에서의 완충기능을 가져야 한다. 이러한 요구조건을 충족하기 위해서 다단형태의 하단방류형 가동보 수문 시스템을 고려할 수 있다. 다단형태의 하단방류형 가동보 수문시스템은 경사 하천에 가동보에 의해 물을 저수하고, 저수된 물을 보 상류에서 유입되는 유입수량 만큼만을 수문 하단 개도부를 통하여 방류하도록 하여, 일정량이 항상 저류되면서 퇴적토사가 배출되도록 하여 수질을 개선하는 방식이다. 본 연구에서는 금강의 지류인 치성천 9Km 구간을 대상으로 HEC-RAS 4.1 모형을 적용하여 하단방류형 가동보를 하류부터 상류구간까지 다단형태로 설치하였을 경우, 하천의 저류와 분배기능 회복에 따른 홍수위 저감 효과를 고정보 설치의 경우와 비교 분석하였다. 홍수소통 능력을 검토하기 위해서 연구대상 구간을 200년 빈도의 확률홍수량 별로 10개 구간으로 나누어 검토한 결과, 고정보 설치의 경우에는 여유고 기준을 초과하는 부분이 나타났으나, 다단식 하단방류형 가동보를 설치하고, 수문개도를 조작하여 운영할 경우에는 여유고 기준을 초과하는 부분이 없어, 홍수위 저감 효과를 기대할 수 있는 것으로 나타났을 뿐만 아니라, 홍수기이후에도 하천유지용수 기준을 만족하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 설치 및 유지관리의 비용측면과 용수확보 및 홍수피해 절감의 편익측면에서도 50년 운영주기의 비용편익성은 양호한 것으로 나타났으며, 생태환경보전과 친수공간 확보측면의 편익성을 추가로 고려할 경우, 경제성은 충분히 확보될 것으로 판단되었다.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2023

Today, environmental pollution has been found to be one of the causes of various diseases, including brain and nervous system diseases. In particular, neurodegenerative diseases have been found to be caused by hyperactivation of immune system cells such as microglia. Preventive and therapeutic measures are needed to suppress them. Hirudo is known as a traditional herbal medicine, based on its multiple biological activities such as anti-eczema and anti-coagulation. In the present study, the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of hirudo extract was investigated in lipopolysccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells and in mice. Hirudo extract significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine (IL-1Ra, KC, MCP-5, and RANTES) expression in a dose-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with hirudo extract suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Moreover, hirudo extract reduced LPS-stimulated microglial acitivation and improved memory impairments. The results demonstrated that hirudo extract exerts anti-neuroinflammation activities, partly through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that hirudo extract might have therapeutic potential with respect to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.20 no.5 s.94
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• pp.363-370
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• 2005

Neural stem cells (NSCs) of the central nervous system (CNS) have raised a great interest not only for their importance in basic neural development but also for their therapeutic potentials in neurologically degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer and stroke. During the CNS development, two molecular cascades determine specification of midbrain dopamine system. In one pathway, FGF-8, sonic hedgehog and transcription factor Nurr1 specify dopamine neurotransmitter phenotype. In the other, transcription factors $Lm{\times}lb\;and\;Pt{\times}3$ are required for induction of dopaminergic neurons. In Nurr1 knockout mouse, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells fail to appear in substantia nigra, indicating that Nurr1 is essential in specification of dopaminergic cell phenotype. In this study, we used the immortalized human NSCs retrovirally transduced with Nurr1 gene to probe the Nurr1 mediated mechanism to induce dopamine phenotype. While Nurr1 over-expression alone did not generate dopamine phenotype in NSCs, applications of retinoid and forskolin induced expression of TH and AADC mRNAs. In addition, co-cultures of Nurr1 expressing NSCs with human astrocytes induced a marked increase of TH expression. In this co-culture system, the addition of retinoid and forskolin dramatically increased expression of TH. These results indicate that the immortalized human NSCs with Nurr1 gene could have a clinical utility for cell replacement for the Parkinson patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.987-994
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• 2021

Our previous studies have reported that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from the larvae of white-spotted flower chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. This study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of protaetiamycine 9 (CVLKKAYFLTNLKLRG-NH₂), a novel AMP, derived from P. b. seulensis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Protaetiamycine 9 (25, 50, 75, and 100 ㎍/ml) did not cause cytotoxic effects against RAW264.7 cells. The RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) for 1 hr and then exposed to LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 hr. Protaetiamycine 9 treatments decreased the LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), in a dose-dependent manner. Protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) effectively downregulated the LPS-induced increase in mRNA and the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which are involved in the production of inflammatory mediators. Protaetiamycine 9 also suppressed the production and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, compared to the presence of LPS alone. Furthermore, protaetiamycine 9 inhibited the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκB-α) and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In conclusion, these results suggest that protaetiamycine 9 exhibits LPS-mediated inflammatory responses by blocking IκB-α degradation and MAPK phosphorylation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.327-335
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• 2015

Piperlongumine, a natural alkaloid isolated from the long pepper, selectively increases reactive oxygen species production and apoptotic cell death in cancer cells but not in normal cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying piperlongumine-induced selective killing of cancer cells remains unclear. In the present study, we observed that human breast cancer MCF-7 cells are sensitive to piperlongumine-induced apoptosis relative to human MCF-10A breast epithelial cells. Interestingly, this opposing effect of piperlongumine appears to be mediated by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Piperlongumine upregulated HO-1 expression through the activation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) signaling in both MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells. However, knockdown of HO-1 expression and pharmacological inhibition of its activity abolished the ability of piperlongumine to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, whereas those promoted apoptosis in MCF-10A cells, indicating that HO-1 has anti-tumor functions in cancer cells but cytoprotective functions in normal cells. Moreover, it was found that piperlongumine-induced Nrf2 activation, HO-1 expression and cancer cell apoptosis are not dependent on the generation of reactive oxygen species. Instead, piperlongumine, which bears electrophilic ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated carbonyl groups, appears to inactivate Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1) through thiol modification, thereby activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and subsequently upregulating HO-1 expression, which accounts for piperlongumine-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that direct interaction of piperlongumine with Keap1 leads to the upregulation of Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression, and HO-1 determines the differential response of breast normal cells and cancer cells to piperlongumine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1362-1369
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• 2015

The goal of this study was done for evaluating stability according to low-temperature storage of kimchi duruchigi supplemented with a hot water extract of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM). Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in the RCM extract prepared from the hot water were detected by 293.34 μg CA/mg and 90.57 μg quecetin/mg, respectively. DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging activities of the extract were showed by relatively high values of 70.63 and 57.87%, respectively. Kimchi duruchigi was designed by control (non-treated), T1 (3% RCM extract), T2 (6% RCM extract), and T3 (0.1% ascorbic acid, a positive control). When compared with control and T3 groups, pHs of T1 and T2 groups supplemented with the RCM extract were gently changed depending on the storage time, and water holding capacities of T1 and T2 groups were improved in comparison with control group. Although meat color showed a tendency to most of increase according to the elapsed time, T1 and T2 groups showed less changes than that of control group. Lipid peroxidation appeared in a little bit changes regardless of the processing and storage days, but protein spoilages in T1 and T2 groups were found by lower changes when compared with the control group. As the results of sensory evaluation, T1 and T2 groups during storage had the better taste, flavor and acceptability than those of control and T3 groups. Therefore, we suggest that kimchi duruchigi supplemented with the RCM extract is a possible of improving the storage stability and product preference.