• ALGAE
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.333-341
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• 2014

In this study, four compounds isolated from the red alga Laurencia snackeyi were evaluated for their potential anti-inflammatory effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Since $5{\beta}$-hydroxypalisadin B showed the best activity it was further tested for the production of prostaglandin-$E_2$ ($PGE_2$), expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). $5{\beta}$-Hydroxypalisadin B significantly reduced the $PGE_2$ release and suppressed the iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It also significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. These findings provide the first evidence of anti-inflammatory potential of $5{\beta}$-hydroxypalisadin B isolated from the red alga L. snackeyi and hence, it could be exploited as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and functional food applications.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.133-143
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• 2018

Background: AD-2 (20(R)-dammarane-3b, 12b, 20, 25-tetrol; 25-OH-PPD) is a ginsenoside and isolated from Panax ginseng, showing anticancer activity against extensive human cancer cell lines. In this study, effects and mechanisms of 1C ((20R)-3b-O-(L-alanyl)-dammarane-12b, 20, 25-triol), a modified version of AD-2, were evaluated for its development as a novel anticancer drug. Methods: MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell cytotoxic activity. Cell cycle and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using flow cytometry analysis. Western blotting was employed to analyze signaling pathways. Results: 1C concentration-dependently reduces prostate cancer cell viability without affecting normal human gastric epithelial cell line-1 viability. In LNCaP prostate cancer cells, 1C triggered apoptosis via Bcl-2 family-mediated mitochondria pathway, downregulated expression of mouse double minute 2, upregulated expression of p53 and stimulated ROS production. ROS scavenger, N-acetylcysteine, can attenuate 1C-induced apoptosis. 1C also inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP cells through inhibition on $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway. Conclusion: 1C shows obvious anticancer activity based on inducing cell apoptosis by Bcl-2 family-mediated mitochondria pathway and ROS production, inhibiting $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate that 1C may provide leads as a potential agent for cancer therapy.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.235-243
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• 2004

A number of potential applications of aluminum foams are being identified and renewed interest in these engineering materials is also reflected by several current research projects. One of the key issues for industrial exploitation of aluminum foams is the development of cost-effective manufacturing strategies facilitating, preferably, net shape production of foams with controlled porosity and cell size, and minimized structural imperfection. Especially, melt route to aluminum foam production based on the foaming agents offer attraction of low cost and the potential for good microstructure. The present paper is focused mainly on foaming agents of melt-foam aluminum such as $TiH_2$ or $TiH_2-Al$ mixture. For the purpose of economical manufacturing, we are proposed to hydrogen induced mechanical alloying (HIMA) process. Thermo-physical properties of particles synthesized are compared with conventional methods. Specimens synthesized are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermo- gravimetry-differential scanning calorymetry (TG-DSC), pressure-composition-isotherm. (PCI).

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.144-156
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• 2006

The effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the fruit, leaf and stem of Melia azedarach Linn. (Meliaceae) on the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and the nerve-muscle (n.m.) preparation of Setaria (S.) cervi and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro was studied. Alcoholic extracts of fruit, leaf and stem caused inhibition of the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the n.m. preparation of S. cervi, while only aqueous extract of fruit caused inhibition of the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the n.m. preparation of S. cervi. The initial stimulatory effect was not observed by the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of fruit on n.m. preparation. The concentrations required to inhibit the movements of the whole worm and n.m. preparation for alcoholic extracts of fruit, leaf and stem were 250, $40\;{\mu}g/ml$; 280, $40\;{\mu}g/ml$ and 270, $25\;{\mu}g/ml$ respectively, whereas an aqueous extract of fruit caused inhibition of whole worm and n.m. preparation at $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $40\;{\mu}g/ml$ respectively. Alcoholic extracts of the fruit, leaf and stem and aqueous extract of the fruit of M. azedarach caused concentration related inhibition on the survival of microfilariae (m.f.) of S. cervi. The $LC_{50}$ and $LC_{90}$ as observed after 6 h were found to be 5, 15, 10, 20 ng/ml and 10, 25, 20 and 35 ng/ml, respectively. This work was conducted in view of the exploration of potential antifilarial herbal drug.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.54-60
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• 2015

Background: The present study was designed to prepare and find the optimum active preparation or fraction from Korea Red Ginseng inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression, because MMP-13 is a pivotal enzyme to degrade the collagen matrix of the joint cartilage. Methods: From total red ginseng ethanol extract, n-BuOH fraction (total ginsenoside-enriched fraction), ginsenoside diol-type-enriched fraction (GDF), and ginsenoside triol-type-enriched fraction (GTF) were prepared, and ginsenoside diol type-/F4-enriched fraction (GDF/F4) was obtained from Panax ginseng leaf extract. Results: The n-BuOH fraction, GDF, and GDF/F4 clearly inhibited MMP-13 expression compared to interleukin-$1{\beta}$-treated SW1353 cells (human chondrosarcoma), whereas the total extract and ginsenoside diol-type-enriched fraction did not. In particular, GDF/F4, the most effective inhibitor, blocked the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun-activated protein kinase (JNK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1/2 (STAT-1/2) among the signal transcription pathways involved. Further, GDF/F4 also inhibited the glycosaminoglycan release from interleukin-$1{\alpha}$-treated rabbit cartilage culture (30.6% inhibition at $30{\mu}g/mL$). Conclusion: Some preparations from Korean Red Ginseng and ginseng leaves, particularly GDF/F4, may possess the protective activity against cartilage degradation in joint disorders, and may have potential as new therapeutic agents.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

Background: Naringenin (NRG) is a common dietary polyphenolic constituent of fruits. NRG has diverse pharmacological activities, and is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells of the GI tract. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of NRG on ICCs and on GI motility in vitro and in vivo. Methods: ICCs were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICC clusters. The effects of NRG on GI motility were investigated by calculating percent intestinal transit rates (ITR) using Evans blue in normal mice. Results: NRG inhibited ICC pacemaker potentials in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride or iberiotoxin, NRG had no effect on pacemaker potentials, but it continued to block pacemaker potentials in the presence of glibenclamide. Preincubation with SQ-22536 had no effect on pacemaker potentials or on their inhibition by NRG. However, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one blocked pacemaker potential inhibition by NRG. In addition, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester blocked pacemaker potential inhibition by NRG. Furthermore, NRG significantly suppressed murine ITR enhancement by neostigmine in vivo. Conclusion: This study shows NRG dose-dependently inhibits ICC pacemaker potentials via a cyclic guanosine monophosphate/nitric oxide-dependent pathway and $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels in vitro. In addition, NRG suppressed neostigmine enhancement of ITR in vivo.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.621-627
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a traditional medicine that is reported to have cardioprotective effects; ginsenosides are the major bioactive compounds in the ginseng root. Methods: Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) nanoparticles might be useful for both the extraction of the targeted (imprinted) molecules, and for the delivery of those molecules to cells. In this work, plant growth regulators were used to enhance the adventitious rooting of ginseng root callus; imprinted polymeric particles were synthesized for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from root extracts, and then employed for subsequent particle-mediated delivery to cardiomyocytes to mitigate hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Results: These synthesized composite nanoparticles were first characterized by their specific surface area, adsorption capacity, and magnetization, and then used for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from a crude extract of ginseng roots. The ginsenoside-loaded MMIPs were then shown to have protective effects on mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular viability for H9c2 cells treated with CoCl₂ to mimic hypoxia injury. The protective effect of the ginsenosides was assessed by staining with JC-1 dye to monitor the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: MMIPs can play a dual role in both the extraction and cellular delivery of therapeutic ginsenosides.

• ALGAE
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.253-263
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• 2011

Phenotypic plasticity was examined in the economically and ecologically important brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum in southwestern Nova Scotia, considering specifically how nutrient loading affected its vegetative and reproductive features. To determine this, we examined morphometric changes in A. nodosum from two sites receiving direct effluent impacts from a land-based finfish aquaculture facility and from two control sites, approximately 2 km away from the aquaculture facility in opposite directions. Fronds from test sites were significantly younger than from control sites (5 y vs. 8 y); however, fronds from farm sites were significantly larger (219 g vs. 90 g) because of their higher growth rates. Thalli from farm sites had greater reproductive potential, as shown by numbers of receptacle initials (797 initials vs. 281 initials). These results suggest limited nutrient inflows from land-based aquaculture may positively affect adjacent Ascophyllum populations by inducing higher growth rates. We conclude that the coordination of effluent management from land-based aquaculture with natural resource harvesting of A. nodosum may be beneficial. Further study is necessary to determine the limits of nutrient loading for this potentially beneficial outcome.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.299-314
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• 2017

The aim of this paper is to investigate the performance of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Filled Steel Tube (LWCFST) columns experimentally and compare to the behavior of Self-Compacted Concrete Filled Steel Tube (SCCFST) columns under axial loading. Four different L/D ratios and three D/t ratios were used in the experimental program to delve into the compression behaviours. Compressive strength of the LWC and SCC are 33.47 MPa and 39.71 MPa, respectively. Compressive loading versus end shortening curves and the failure mode of sixteen specimens were compared and discussed. The design specification formulations of AIJ 2001, AISC 360-16, and EC4 were also assessed against test results to underline the performance of specification methods in predicting the compression capacity of LWCFST and SCCFST columns. Based on the behaviour of the SCCFST columns, LWCFST columns exhibited different performances, especially in ductility and failure mode. The nature of the utilized lightweight aggregate led to local buckling mode to be dominant in LWCFST columns, even the long LWCFST specimens suffered from this behaviour. While with the SCCFST specimens the global buckling governed the failure mode of long specimens without any loss in capacity. Considering a wide range of column geometries (short, medium and long columns), this paper extends the current knowledge in composite construction by examining the potential of two promising and innovative structural concrete types in CFST applications.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.151-161
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• 2017

A new method is developed to estimate road profile in order to estimate IRI based on the ASTM standard. This method utilizes an accelerometer and a Dynamic Tire Pressure Sensor (DTPS) to estimate road roughness. The accelerometer measures the vertical axle acceleration. The DTPS, which is mounted on the tire's valve stem, measures dynamic pressure inside the tire while driving. Calibrated transfer functions are used to estimate road profile using the signals from the two sensors. A field test was conducted on roads with different quality conditions in the city of Brockton, MA. The IRI values estimated with this new method match the actual road conditions measured with Pavement Condition Index (PCI) based on the ASTM standard, images taken from an onboard camera and passengers' perceptions. IRI has negative correlation with PCI in general since they have overlapping features. Compared to the current method of IRI measurement, the advantage of this method is that a) the cost is reduced; b) more space is saved; c) more time is saved; and d) mounting the two sensors are universally compatible to most cars and vans. Therefore, this method has the potential to provide continuous and global monitoring the health of roadways.