• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2019

Piperlongumine (PL) is a natural product found in long pepper (Piper longum). The pharmacological effects of PL are well known, and it has been used for pain, hepatoprotection, and asthma in Oriental medicine. No studies have examined the effects of PL on bone tissue or bone-related diseases, including osteoporosis. The current study investigated for the first time the inhibitory effects of PL on osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and osteoclastogenesis-related factors in RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by the receptor activator for nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL). Cytotoxicity was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were confirmed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and pit formation analysis. Osteoclast differentiation factors were confirmed by western blotting. PL exhibited toxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages, inhibiting osteoclast formation and bone resorption, in addition to inhibiting the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related factors, such as tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), c-Fos, and NFATc1, in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that PL is suitable for the treatment of osteoporosis, and it serves as a potential therapeutic agent for various bone diseases.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2014

Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the effects of fermented lotus extracts on prediabetes and hyperlipidemia in high fructose diet rats. Methods Extracts of lotus leaf and lotus root were fermented using 4 different probiotics separately, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium longum. Expressions of adipogenic transcription factors including Adiponectin, GLUT-4, Leptin, PPAR gamma, Resistin and Visfatin were analyzed by Real time PCR and Western blotting analysis. Results Fermented lotus extracts reduced blood glucose. Fermented lotus extracts inhibited adipogenic transcription factors by inhibiting preadipocytes differentiation. The level of gene expression of Adiponectin, GLUT-4, Leptin, PPAR gamma, Resistin and Visfatin in relation to that of GAPDH were increase or decrease significantly with the Fermented lotus formulation group. Conclusions Fermented lotus extracts showed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects by inhibiting preadipocyte differentiation and controlling insulin sensitivity in high fructose diet rats.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 1987

The amniotic fluid provides a medium in which the fetus can readily move, cushions him against possible injury and helps him maintain an even temperature. Besides above mentioned functions, investigators reported that human amniotic fluid contains host-resistance factors which prevent bacteria from producing infectious disease and this activity shows difference among human racial groups or bacterial genera, species and strains. 40 amniotic fluid specimens from Korean women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy were examined for inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli. And various factors which might affect bacterial growth inhibiting activity such as pH, initial inoculum size, concentration of amniotic fluid, and heat resistance, were also tested using a strongly inhibitory amniotic fluid specimen. Finally plate diffusion tests were carried out using other strongly inhibitory amniotic fluid. The following results were obtained: 1. Of the 40 fluid samples examined, 18 specimens(45%) had inhibitory activity and samples from women in their second trimester of pregnanancy showed non-inhibitory activity(2 specimens). 2. The pH of the fluids varied between 7.43 and 8.33. There was no correlation between pH and inhibitory activity. 3. No. 19 amniotic fluid showed bacteriostatic activity after 24 hours incubation when an inoculum of $10^2$ organisms per milliliter was used, but non-inhibitory with an inoculum of $10^3$ and $10^4$ bacteria per milliliter. 4. The content of amniotic fluid in culture media influenced E. coli growth. At 90 percent, E. coli was inhibited growth but at 10 percent and 50 percent. 5. Inhibitory activity of No. 19 amniotic fluid was retained after heating to $50^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes or 100^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. 6. Plate diffusion tests with No. 27 amniotic fluid showed that 0.7ml amniotic fluid gave clear zone of growth inhibition around the central well but 0.2ml and 0.1ml amniotic fluids were not.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.61-71
• /
• 2020

With 32 fungicides, it was examined the inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of Alternaria dauci KACC42997 causing Alternaria leaf blight of carrot. Showing the results of the agar dilution method, the fungicides belonging to C2, C5, G1, E2, and E3 group were excellent in inhibiting mycelial growth. Protective fungicides belonging to M group, except for iminoctadine tris-albesilate, and pyraclostrobin belonging to C3 group were effective in inhibiting spore germination of pathogens. The fungicides included into C2 group inhibiting succinate dehydrogenase activity and the G1 group inhibiting demethylase activity showed the excellent inhibitory effect on mycelial growth but the inhibitory effect of spore germination was very low. However, fluazinam belonging to C5 group was excellent in inhibiting spore germination as well as mycelial growth. Especially, when 100 ㎍/ml of fluxapyroxad belonging to the C2 group was treated, 47.1% of spore formation was inhibited on the medium. In comparison of the resistance factors of 3 fungicide groups, as G, C, and E group, in populations of A. dauci isolates collected from Gumi, Pyeongchang, and Jeju, resistance factor in the population of Jeju was the lowest. However, two isolates resistant to fludioxonil belonging to E2 group were found in the isolate group of Pyeongchang, and both showed cross-resistance to iprodione and procymidone.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.266-275
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Although long-term viral suppression and antiretroviral therapy (ART) success depend on sustained adherence, adolescents' adherence rates are suboptimal. Optimal adherence is influenced by various factors. Since Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over 80% of adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and considering their unique characteristics and susceptibility to poor adherence, it is crucial to provide updated knowledge on adherence rates and their determinants among this population. This review aims to present up-to-date data on adherence rates and associated factors among HIV-positive adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed and Scopus databases were used to identify documents corresponding to the study's objectives. Eleven studies were included in this review after being selected from among all studies that were found online from 2017 to 2023. Results: The reported adherence rates ranged from 55% to 86%. In total, 32 factors were found to be related to adherence among HIV-positive adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. These included 12 adherence-facilitating factors and 20 adherence-inhibiting factors. The most often mentioned factors affecting adherence were advanced World Health Organization clinical stage (i.e., stage IV), ART dose and regimens, a lack of support, and violence victimization. Conclusion: Our findings can help healthcare providers collaborate with HIV-positive adolescents to improve ART adherence and ensure the best possible health outcomes.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.9 no.10
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2022

This study aims to identify the factors supporting and inhibiting the digitalization of blue economy MSMEs in Bitung, Indonesia. The literature shows little research on digitalization related to the blue economy in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia. This indicates that there is a large research gap related to digitalization and the blue economy in the Indonesian context. Data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires with open-ended questions to blue economy MSMEs. Data was also obtained from in-depth interviews with representatives of Aruna, an Indonesian company that focuses on simplifying the supply chain of fishery products by connecting small-scale fishers to the global market through technology. According to the study's findings, two primary factors-motivation to develop their business and efforts to maintain seller-buyer interaction-support SMEs' use of technology in the blue economy. However, digital literacy and technological infrastructure, such as the internet network, are the two main factors that become obstacles in the effort to digitize MSMEs in the blue economy. The role of the government is also a contingent factor that can strengthen the relationship between factors that support digitization and weaken the relationship between factors that hinder digitalization.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.47-60
• /
• 2021

Just culture is an important factors in safety culture, and is related to the degree to which potential risk information is shared. Since the importance of the level of just culture has been highlighted in the aspect that it is related to the prevention of various safety accidents, research on just culture was required. In previous studies, there are attempts to develop a scale to measure the level of just culture and to reveal the degree of predicting the experience of accidents or errors and the actual reporting experience. However, It was not possible to clarify the factors that facilitate and inhibit the level of just culture for the formation of just culture. This study was conducted to help improve the level of the organization's just culture by specifically identifying factors that facilitate and inhibit the impact on the level of the just culture. As a result, it was possible to find the facilitating and inhibiting factors affecting the 6 factors of just culture.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.122-126
• /
• 2009

Transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) is a highly pleiotropic cytokine playing pivotal roles in immune regulation. TGF-$\beta$ facilitates tumor cell survival and metastasis by targeting multiple cellular components. Focusing on its immunosuppressive functions, TGF-$\beta$ antagonists have been employed for cancer treatment to enhance tumor immunity. TGF-$\beta$ antagonists exert anti-tumor effects through #1 activating effector cells such as NK cells and cytotoxic $CD8^+$ Tcells (CTLs), #2 inhibiting regulatory/suppressor cell populations, #3 making tumor cells visible to immune cells, #4 inhibiting the production of tumor growth factors. This review focuses on the effect of TGF-$\beta$ on T cells, which are differentiated into effector T cells or newly identified tumor-supporting T cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.41 no.12
• /
• pp.833-839
• /
• 2008

Angiogenesis in tumors is driven by multiple growth factors that activate receptor tyrosine kinases. An important driving force of angiogenesis in solid tumors is signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs). Angiogenesis inhibitors that target this signaling pathway are now in widespread use for the treatment of cancer. However, when used alone, inhibitors of VEGF/VEGFR signaling do not destroy all blood vessels in tumors and do not slow the growth of most human cancers. VEGF/VEGFR signaling inhibitors are, therefore, used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy. Additional targets for inhibiting angiogenesis would be useful for more efficacious treatment of cancer. One promising target is the signaling pathway of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (HGFR, also known as c-Met), which plays important roles in angiogenesis and tumor growth. Inhibitors of this signaling pathway have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in multiple in vitro and in vivo models. The HGF/c-Met signaling pathway is now recognized as a promising target in cancer by inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.250-257
• /
• 1991

An obligate methanol-oxidizing bacterium, Methylobacillus sp. strain SK1, which grows only on methanol was isolated from soil. The isolate was nonmotile Gram-negtive rod. It does not have internal membrane system. The colonies were small, whitish-yellow, and smooth. The guanine plus cytosine content of the DNA was 48 mol%. Cellular fatty acids consisted predominantly of large amounts of straight-chain saturated $C_{16:0}$ acid and unsaturated $C_{16:1}$ acid. The major ubiquinone was Q-8, and Q-10 was present as minor component. The cell was obligately aerobic and exhibited catalase, but no oxidase, activity. Poly-.betha.-hydroxybutyrate, endospores, or cysts were not observed. the isolate could grow only on methanol in mineral medium. Growth factors were not required. The isolate was unable to use methane, formaldehyde, formate, methylamine, and several other organic compounds tested as a sole source of carbon and energy. Growth was optimal at 35.deg.C and pH 7.5. It could not grow at 42.deg.C. The doubling time was 1.2h at 30.deg.C when grown with 1.0%(v/v) methanol. The growth was not affected by antibiotics inhibiting cell wall synthesis and carbon monoxide but was completely suppressed by those inhibiting protein synthesis. Methanol was found to be assimilated through the ribulose monophosphate pathway. Cytochromes of b-, c-, and o- types were found. Cell-free extracts contained a phenazine methosulfate-linked methanol dehydrogenase activity, which required ammonium ions as an activator. Cells harvested after the late exponential phase seemed to contain blue protein.ein.