• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.224-230
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• 2011

In order to develop silk peptide (SP) preparations possessing cognition-enhancing effect, several candidates were screened through in vitro assays, and their effectiveness was investigated in facilitated brain aging model rats. Incubation of brain acetyl-cholinesterase with SP-PN (1-1,000 ${\mu}g/ml$) led to inhibition of the enzyme activity up to 35%, in contrast to a negligible effect of SP-NN. The expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA of neural stem cells expressing ChAT gene (F3.ChAT) was increased by 24-hour treatment with 10 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ SP-NN (1.35 and 2.20 folds) and SP-PN (2.40 and 1.34 folds). Four-week subcutaneous injections with D-galactose (150 mg/kg) increased activated hippocampal astrocytes to 1.7 folds (a marker of brain injury and aging), decreased acetylcholine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid by 45-50%, and thereby impaired learning and memory function in passive avoidance and water-maze performances. Oral treatment with SP preparations (50 or 300 mg/kg) for 5 weeks from 1 week prior to D-galactose injection exerted recovering activities on acetylcholine depletion and brain injury/aging as well as cognitive deficit induced by D-galactose. The results indicate that SP preparations restore cognitive functions of facilitated brain aging model rats by increasing the release of acetylcholine, in addition to neuroprotective activity.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.29-59
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• 2019

As 'a total social fact,' drinks and drinking may serve as a lens through which we can view a distant society. Although not frequently discussed, drinking vessels serve the same function for accessing a past world hidden or forgotten behind written records. The present article is an art history attempt to seek a cultural link between liquor vessels used in medieval Korea and the political and social change of the period. The Goryeo period (918-1392) saw an unprecedented abundance of drinking vessels in various forms and decorations. Goryeo artisans and craftsmen produced ewers, pitchers, flasks, bottles, and others in addition to the pre-existing shapes of vessels mainly consisting of jars and bowls. I argue that this sudden burst of creativity during the Goryeo period was closely related to Goryeo's constant and diverse contacts with foreign powers. Their zone of international connections was not confined to the Chinese world, as we have commonly presumed. Even before the Mongol intervention, Goryeo was in contact with regions beyond East Asia through the northern nomadic states. Khitan Liao was recorded as having worked as a kind of international intermediary to link the Chinese and Islamic worlds. This medieval global culture became a norm in Goryeo society when it became an important part of the Mongol Empire. These nomadic powers brought global trends to Goryeo, and foreign drinks were among them; kumis, araq, and grape wines are just three cases of them discussed in this article. The change of alcoholic drinks led to, or was accompanied by, a new range of drinking vessels. Three types of ewers, familiar to East Asian consumers but foreign in their origin, are discussed in the main text to highlight such social change. Three more cases of drinking cups are also presented. The article shows that medieval Korean society was far more open to international art and culture than our usual understanding, and in their drinking vessels, Goryeo culture embraced global trends reaching China, the Islamic world and Europe.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2005

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have unique features including unlimited growth capacity, expression of specific markers, normal karyotypes and an ability to differentiate. Many investigators have tried to use hES cells for cell-based therapy, but there is little information about the properties of available hES cell lines. We compared the characteristics of three hES cell lines. The expression of SSEA-1, -3, -4, and APase, was examined by immunocytochemistry, and Oct-4 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. Differentiation of the hES cells in vitro and in vivo led to the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) or teratomas. We examined the expression of tissue-specific markers in the differentiated cells by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and the ability of each hES cell line to proliferate was measured by flow cytometry of DNA content and ELISA. The three hES cell lines were similar in morphology, marker expression, and teratoma formation. However there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the differentiated cells formed by the different cell lines in levels of expression of tissue-specific markers such as renin, kallikrein, Glut-2, ${\beta}-$ and ${\delta}-globin$, albumin, and ${\alpha}1-antitrypsin$ (${\alpha}1-AT$). The hES cell lines also differed in proliferative activity. Our observations should be useful in basic and clinical hES cell research.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline ($AFB_1$ group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 ${\mu}g/kg$ of $AFB_1$ intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after $AFB_1$ treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the $AFB_1$ alone group. Histopathologically, $AFB_1$ treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.300-307
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• 2020

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial dysfunction due to persistent inflammation is a key component and emerging concept in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), an active compound from red ginseng, has been known to be important for vascular homeostasis. However, the effect of Rg3 on inflammation-induced EndMT has never been reported. Here, we hypothesize that Rg3 might reverse the inflammation-induced EndMT and serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular diseases. Methods: EndMT was examined under an inflammatory condition mediated by the NOD1 agonist, γ-d-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP), treatment in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The expression of EndMT markers was determined by Western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry. The underlying mechanisms of Rg3-mediated EndMT regulation were investigated by modulating the microRNA expression. Results: The NOD1 agonist, iE-DAP, led to a fibroblast-like morphology change with a decrease in the expression of endothelial markers and an increase in the expression of the mesenchymal marker, namely EndMT. On the other hand, Rg3 markedly attenuated the iE-DAP-induced EndMT and preserved the endothelial phenotype. Mechanically, miR-139 was downregulated in cells with iE-DAP-induced EndMT and partly reversed in response to Rg3 via the regulation of NF-κB signaling, suggesting that the Rg3-miR-139-5p-NF-κB axis is a key mediator in iE-DAP-induced EndMT. Conclusion: These results suggest, for the first time, that Rg3 can be used to inhibit inflammation-induced EndMT and may be a novel therapeutic option against EndMT-associated vascular diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2020

Background: Gintonin (GT), a novel ginseng-derived exogenous ligand of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors, has been shown to induce cell proliferation and migration in the hippocampus, regulate calcium-dependent ion channels in the astrocytes, and reduce β-amyloid plaque in the brain. However, whether GT influences autophagy in cortical astrocytes is not yet investigated. Methods: We examined the effect of GT on autophagy in primary cortical astrocytes using immunoblot and immunocytochemistry assays. Suppression of specific proteins was performed via siRNA. LC3 puncta was determined using confocal microscopy. Results: GT strongly upregulated autophagy marker LC3 by a concentration- as well as time-dependent manner via G protein-coupled LPA receptors. GT-induced autophagy was further confirmed by the formation of LC3 puncta. Interestingly, on pretreatment with an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, rapamycin, GT further enhanced LC3-II and LC3 puncta expression. However, GT-induced autophagy was significantly attenuated by inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine and knockdown Beclin-1, Atg5, and Atg7 gene expression. Importantly, when pretreated with a lysosomotropic agent, E-64d/peps A or bafilomycin A1, GT significantly increased the levels of LC3-II along with the formation of LC3 puncta. In addition, GT treatment enhanced autophagic flux, which led to an increase in lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 and degradation of ubiquitinated p62/SQSTM1. Conclusion: GT induces autophagy via mTOR-mediated pathway and elevates autophagic flux. This study demonstrates that GT can be used as an autophagy-inducing agent in cortical astrocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2001

Recent clinical studies have shown that a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) achieve complete remission after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). However, most patients who receive continuous treatment with ATRA relapse and develop ATRA-resistant leukemia. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important antigen-presenting cells in the development of antileukemic T-cell responses. In this study, we investigated the strategies to overcome ATRA resistance of APL cells by inducing the differentiation of DCs from human leukemic cell lines for the developtment of adoptive immunotherapy. CD83 was used as a mature DC marker in this study and the expression of CD83 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR method. The promyelocytic leukemic cell line HL-60, B lymphoblast cell lines RPMI 7666 and NC-37 could be induced to dendritic cells in vitro. Treatment of HL-60 with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in the expression of myeloid-related DC phenotypes, while treatment of RPMI 7666 with fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3-ligand, FL) and treatment of NC-37 with PMA and FL led to the expression of lymphoid-related DC phenotypes. In conclusion, myeloid-related DC phenotypes and lymphoid-related DC phenotypes could be generated from HL-60, NC-37 and RPMI 7666 cell lines, respectively. These DC phenotypes can potentially be used to generate antileukemic T cells in vitro for adoptive immunotherapy.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the effect of Baekho-tang extract on epidermal barrier recovery and inflammation relief in atopic dermatitis-induced mice through Endocanabinoid system (ECS) regulation. Methods In this study, we used 4-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 4 group: lipid barrier elimination group (LBEG), palmitoylethanolamide treated group after lipid barrier elimination (PEAT), Baekho-tang extract treatment group after lipid barrier elimination (BHTT) and control group (Ctrl). Each group was assigned 10 animals. We identified that cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1, CB2, CD (Cluster of Differentiation) 68, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), substance P and Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) through our immunohistochemistry. Results We discovered that when compared to PEAT, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative stress in the epidermal barrier, and CB1 and CB2, markers of ECS modulation, were less activated in BHTT. These results led to an anti-inflammatory response in BHTT, with a significant decrease in several inflammatory mediators such as CD 68, iNOS, substance P and MMP-9 compared to PEAT and LBEG. Conclusions These results suggest that the Baekho-tang extract can reduce the inflammation of atopic dermatitis by restoring the structural damage of the skin lipid barrier through ECS modulation.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.91-99
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• 2010

We used a multiplex PCR primer set composed of 11 microsatellite (MS) markers and two sexing markers for gender detection. Genomic DNA extracted from hair roots of 3,510 Hanwoo were genotyped. Based on the 11MS markers, no animals had identical genotypes(TGLA227, BM2113, TGLA53, ETF10, SPS115, TGLA122, ETH3, ETH225, BM1824 and INRA23). The expected probability of identity among genotypes of random individuals (PI), the probability of identity among genotypes from random half-sibs ($PI_{half-sibs}$) and among genotypes of random individuals, and the probability of identity among genotypes from random sibs ($PI_{sibs}$) were estimated as $1.31{\times}10^{-23}$, $2.52{\times}10^{-16}$and $1.09{\times}10^{-6}$, respectively using the API-CALC program, version 1.0. We successfully completed the genotype analysis of 3,510 Hanwoo with a 3.93% genotyping failure rate. It was revealed that extracting DNA from the hair root was a time-efficient and cost-effective method to collect specimens for DNA isolation from live animals. This method also minimized stress for the animals during specimen collection. Among the hair roots from the back, belly, upper tail and lower tail, 5~13 hair roots of the lower tail led to the best genotype analysis results. Finally, we established a 96-well-format method of DNA preparation applicable for high- throughput genotype analysis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.437-447
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• 2011

In this study, the lower limbs joints were analyzed for features based on the biomechanical characteristics of landing techniques according to height and landing on the ground type (flats and downhill). In order to achieve the objectives of the study, changes were analyzed in detail contents such as the height and form of the first landing on the ground at different angles of joints, torso and legs, torso and legs of the difference in the range of angular motion of the joint, the maximum angular difference between joints, the lower limbs joints difference between the maximum moment and the difference between COM changes. The subjects in this study do not last six months did not experience joint injuries 10 males in 20 aged were tested. Experimental tools to analyze were the recording and video equipment. Samsung's SCH-650A model camera was used six units, and the 2 GRF-based AMTI were used BP400800 model. 6-unit-camera synchronized with LED (photo cell) and Line Lock system were used. the output from the camera and the ground reaction force based on the data to synchronize A/D Syc. box was used. To calculate the coordinates of three-dimensional space, $1m{\times}3m{\times}2m$ (X, Y, Z axis) to the size of the control points attached to the framework of 36 markers were used, and 29 where the body was taken by attaching a marker to the surface. Two kinds of land condition, 40cm and 60cm in height, and ground conditions in the form of two kinds of flat and downhill slopes ($10^{\circ}$) of the landing operation was performed and each subject's 3 mean two-way RM ANOVA in SPSS 18.0 was used and this time, all the significant level was set at a=.05. Consequently, analyzing the landing technique as land form and land on the ground, the changes of external environmental factors, and the lower limbs joints' function in the evaluation were significantly different from the slopes. Landing of the slop plane were more load on the joints than landing of plane. Especially, knee extensor moment compared to the two kinds of landing, slopes plane were approximately two times higher than flat plane, and it was statistical significance. Most of all not so much range of motion and angular velocity of the shock to reduce stress was important. In the further research, front landing as well as various direction of motion of kinetic, kinetic factors and EMG variables on lower limbs joints of the study in terms of injury-prevention-approach is going to be needed.