• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and $12.5{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.37-48
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• 2020

Eight colors prescribed by the Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act and the group standard were tested to secure the minimum recursive reflectance performance standards when drying and wetting. The results were calculated to be 260.8 (mcd/㎡·lux) when drying white and 154.6 (mcd/㎡·lux) when wet. Yellow was 67% compared to the white reflective performance when drying. Wet poetry was 79 % and 59 %, respectively. In the case of blue, it was 64% in the case of white versus 72% in the case of white. Wet poetry was 63 % and 72 %, respectively. The range of changes in reflective performance during wetting was higher than when drying, and the absence of glass grains was similar to the previous results. The new colors also have a standard value of more than 50% compared to the white color in red, orange, pink, light green, and green. Based on this, it was estimated that the minimum reflective performance criteria according to the color of the road markings would form the basis for the enforcement rules of the Road Traffic Act.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.337-346
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rb2, a major active component of Panax ginseng, has various physiological activities, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the rejuvenation effect of Rb2 in human skin cells have not been elucidated. Methods: We performed a senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining assay to confirm cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The regulatory effects of Rb2 on autophagy were evaluated by analyzing the expression of autophagy marker proteins, such as microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain (LC) 3 and p62, using immunoblotting. Autophagosome and autolysosome formation was monitored using transmission electron microscopy. Autophagic flux was analyzed using tandem-labeled GFP-RFP-LC3, and lysosomal function was assessed with Lysotracker. We performed RNA sequencing to identify potential target genes related to HDF rejuvenation mediated by Rb2. To verify the functions of the target genes, we silenced them using shRNAs. Results: Rb2 decreased β-galactosidase activity and altered the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in senescent HDFs. Rb2 markedly induced the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and LC3 puncta. Moreover, Rb2 increased lysosomal function and red puncta in tandem-labeled GFP-RFP-LC3, which indicate that Rb2 promoted autophagic flux. RNA sequencing data showed that the expression of DNA damage-regulated autophagy modulator 2 (DRAM2) was induced by Rb2. In autophagy signaling, Rb2 activated the AMPK-ULK1 pathway and inactivated mTOR. DRAM2 knockdown inhibited autophagy and Rb2-restored cellular senescence. Conclusion: Rb2 reverses cellular senescence by activating autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway and induction of DRAM2, suggesting that Rb2 might have potential value as an antiaging agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to isolate a photosensitizer from Pueraria thunbergiana leaves that induces apoptosis in SK-HEP-1 cells. Column chromatography and thin layer chromatography were used to isolate active compounds from extracts of P. thunbergiana leaves. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and FAB-mass spectroscopy. A substance, named M4-3, was purified from the leaves of P. thunbergiana using various chromatography methods, and the absorbance of the substance was measured. The absorbance was highest at 410 nm, suggesting that the M4-3 substance was a different compound from chlorophyll a and b, which absorb at 410, 502, 533, and 607 nm. Further analyses revealed that the M4-3 compound was a $13^2$-hydoxy pheophorbide, a methyl ester with a molecular weight of 662. M4-3 was identified as a derivative compound of pheophorbide, with a structure that magnesium comes away from the porphyrin ring. The results of the analysis of the cytotoxicity of the M4-3 substance against the SK-HEP-1 cells revealed that it inhibited rates of cell growth by 40% and 80% at a concentration of 0.04 ${\mu}M$ and 0.08 ${\mu}M$, respectively. The M4-3 compound was found to be a photosensitizer for cytotoxicity because it was appeared only in light condition as examining activity in different irradiation conditions (light condition and nonlight condition) under the same concentration. Analysis of morphological changes in the cells following cell death induced by exposure to the M4-3 substance reveled representative phenomena of apoptosis (nuclear condensation, vesicle formation, and fragmentation of DNA). The induction of apoptosis was attributed to the compound's photodynamic activity.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 1975

This experiment was carried out to investigate the physiological characteristics of two original yeasts, 5-Y-5 and 6-Y-6, which selected from 24 Takju yeasts and three mutants, 30-24,30-81 and 40-27. induced from two original yeasts by the irradiation of UV light. The results were summarized as follows. 1) Alcohol tolerances of three mutants were decreased in some degree as compared with those of original yeasts. 2) Tolerances of lactic and citric acids of acid producing mutant 30-81, was increased than those of original yeasts. 3) In the case of using ammonium sulfate as a nitrogen source, two original yeasts and three mutants required Ca-pantothenate as a essential growth factor and four strains of yeasts except the mutant, 30-81, required biotin as a stimulated growth factor, When asparagine was used as a nitrogen source, two original yeasts and three mutants showed the same as above result but the stimulated effect of biotin was far less. 4) Propagation powers of the mutants were weaken than those of original yeasts, particular that of acid producing mutant, 30-81, was the weakest in the three mutants. 5) The optimum temperature for fermentation of original yeasts were $30^{\circ}C\;to\;35^{\circ}C$ but three mutants were $25^{\circ}C\;to\;30^{\circ}C$. 6) The optimum pH for fermentation of original yeasts were pH 5 to 6, and there is no appreciable difference between original yeasts and three mutants. The fermentation power of mutant,30-81, was decreased more rapidly than those of other mutants according to approach neutral. Three mutants were more sensible to heat than original yeasts. 7) Two original yeasts and three mutants were inhibited more over 20 percent of sugar for fermentation and three mutants were more sensible to sugar concentration than original yeasts.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2007

Among the photoactive semiconductors such as $TiO_2,\;ZnO,\;Fe_2O_3,\;WO_3,\;and\;CdSe,\;TiO_2$ is the most widely used as photocatalyst in different media, because of its lack of toxicity and stability. In this study, the effects of titanium dioxide were investigated to obtain the information of physiological change in rice plant. Light-adapted Chlorophyll flourescence index decreased and relative electron transport rate of rice leaves was activated by titanium dioxide under $2,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$ PAR (Photosynthetic active radiation). Relative electron transport rate of rice leaf treated with titanium dioxide 10 ppm was high in order of $2,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}\;PAR,\;2,200\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}\;PAR,\;450\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}\;PAR$ and titanium dioxide 10 ppm (45.1%), control (32.4%), diuron 10 ppm (15.3%) under $2,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}\;PAR$. Titanium dioxide increased photosynthesis of the rice leaf under $13.6\;KJ\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$ UV-B only. With titanium dioxide 20 ppm, reduced UV-B ($0.15\;KJ\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$) intensity changed the induction of proteins and twenty-five proteins were identified. Among them, seventy proteins were up-regulated, four proteins were down-regulated and four proteins were newly synthesized. Function of these proteins was related to photosynthesis (52%), carbohydrate metabolism (4%), stress/defense (8%), secondary metabolism (4%), energy/electron transport (4%), and miscellaneous (28%).

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2002

Purpose: Hypertension accelerates the progression of chronic renal disease, whether it results from, or causes, the renal disease. Therefore, the control of hypertension is one of the important factors that retard the rate of renal deterioration. We compared the effects of different antihypertensive agents on renal function and glomerular morphology In subtotal nephrectomized rats. Materials and methods: After induction of chronic renal failure with 5/6 nephrectomy, the rats were divided into three groups; control group (Group C), enalapril group (Group E), and nicardipine group (Group N). Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff method every 4 weeks until 12 weeks after nephrectomy. At 12 weeks after nephrectomy, all rats were placed in metabolic cages for 24 hour urine collections to measure urinary protein and creatinine excretion. After urine collection and blood sampling for serum creatinine, all rats were sacrificed. The renal tissue was processed for morphometric study with light microscope and electron microscope. Results: 1. The blood pressure of Group C increased progressively, but both enalapril and nicardipine prevented the development of hypertension, and the two drugs were equally effective in maintaining normal blood pressure throughout the study. 2. Twenty-four hour urinary protein excretion was lower in Group E compared to Group C and Group N 3. Mesangial expansion score in both treated groups were significantly lower than the control group. Mean glomerular volume in Group E was significantly reduced compared to Group C and Group N. There was no significant difference in mean glomerular volume between Group C and Group N. 4. There was no significant difference in podocyte structural changes, estimated by filtration slit length density, among control, enalapril and nicardipine treated groups. Conclusion: Control of hypertension with enalapril or nicardipine afforded considerable protection from mesangial expansion in the rat remnant kidney model. But protein excretion and glomerular growth were significantly reduced in Group E compared to Group N. There was no significant difference in podocyte structural changes among the 3 groups.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 1994

This study was conducted to determine the optimum conditions of inducing callus, proliferating callus, forming somatic embryos, and regenerating plantlets via somatic embryogenesis, for the purpose of producing artificial seeds and substantially developing plant factory technologies that can be employed to all seasons production of Bupleurum plants. Callus was efficiently induced from leaf tissues at three leaf stage in the MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D 2mg /1 and thidiazuron(TDZ) 0.lmg /1. Callus induction from leaf tissues at maturity was mostly effective in the mixture of 2,4- D 2mg /1 and TDZ 1.0mg /1 while that from flower bud tissues was fairly good in the MS medium containing 2,4-D 1 or 2mg /1.Callus was formed in 15 to 20 days after culture initiation in the MS media supplemented with 2, 4- D 1-2mg /1 and TDZ 0.l-1.0mg /1. Such hormones as kinetin 3mg /1, GA 1mg /1, and the mixture of GA 1mg /1 and TDZ 1mg /1 effected markedly to proliferate the callus cells.The optimum temperature and light intensity for callus culture were found to be $25^{\circ}C$ and 3000 Lux, respectively. Direct plant regeneration from cultured callus was fairly made on hormone-free MS or half-strength MS medium. Somatic embryogenesis was most frequently observed in hormone-free media:60 somatic embryos per 20ml in MS medium and 28 somatic embryos per 20ml in half -strength MS medium. There were three stages-globular, heart, and torpedo-in development of somatic embryos, among which globular stage was more frequently observed in MS medium rather than in half-strength MS medium. Somatic embryos induced from suspension culture fairly differentiated a number of shoots and roots on hormone-free and half-strength MS solid medium.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 1993

This experiment was conducted to understand the environmental factors affecting growth and tuber formation such as temperature, day length, tight intensity, water condition and cutting time of Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi. Plant height, shoot number and dry weight of E. kuroguwai were higher at high temperature, 25/$25^{\circ}C$ (day/night), while nitrogen content was higher at low temperature, 20/$15^{\circ}C$. Plant height was more affected by water temperature, while shoot number and dry weight were more affected by air temperature. Contents and absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in top parts of E. kuroguwai were higher under greater difference between air and water temperatures, i.e., 18/$28^{\circ}C$ and 28/$18^{\circ}C$. The number and weight of tubers were increased under greater difference between air and water temperatures, i.e, 18/$28^{\circ}C$ and 28/$18^{\circ}C$, while they were inhibited at low or high air/water temperatures (18/$18^{\circ}C$ or 28/$28^{\circ}C$). Tubers of E. kuroguwai were formed at 8-or 12-hour day length, however, no tuber was formed at l6-hour day length. Photoinductive period for tuber initiation of E. kuroguwai was between 30 and 45 days after emergence, and the induction period of short-day treatment was less than 10 days. Tuber number and weight were reduced by shading due to inhibition of the growth of top and underground parts. Number of days from planting to tuber initiation was shortned as planting time was delayed and plant height, dry weight, and tuber number were also reduced by delayed planting. Tuber number at l0 to 15cm water depth was decreased 63 to 75% as compared with 1 to 5cm water depth. Tuber number and dry weight were not affected by the size of tubers at planting. Due to the reduced growth of top and underground parts, tuber number and dry weight of E. kuroguwai were decreased by delayed shoot cutting. The critical cutting time to inhibit the growth of E. kuroguwai was about 70 days after emergence.