• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.80-92
• /
• 2012

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of korean herbal bathing extracts composition 1 and composition 2 on Th2 cytokine production in MC/9 mast cells. Methods The effects of composition 1, 2 was analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR in MC/9 mast cells. Levels of IL-5, IL-13 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA). mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 were analyzed with Real-time PCR. Results Composition 1, 2 inhibited the IL-5, IL-13 production significantly(p<.001) in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/mL$, 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. Composition 1, 2 inhibited the IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/mL$, 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. Composition 1 inhibited the IL-6 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. Composition 2 inhibited the IL-6 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/mL$, 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. Conclusions These results indicate that composition 1, 2 has the effect of decreasing the Th2 cytokine production in the MC/9 mast cell.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 2013

Objective : Morus alba Linne Root Bark (MRAL) is a medicinal herb in Korean Medicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. However, its mechanisms of action and the cellular targets have not yet been found and the study was developed to investigate the allergic suppressive effect of MRAL. The purpose of this study is to investigate the allergic suppressive effects of MRAL on activation of MC/9 mast cells. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of MRAL (50, 100, 200, 400 ${\mu}g/mL$) on MC/9 mast cells measured using EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit (WST reagent). The levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-13 and IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 mRNA expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR respectively. The expression of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding activity were measured by western blot and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results : Our results indicated that MRAL (50 ${\mu}g/mL$, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited PMA/Ionomycin-induced production of IL-5 and IL-13 and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 mRNA in MC/9 mast cells. Moreover, MRAL (50 ${\mu}g/mL$, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) inhibited PMA/Ionomycin-induced GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos protein expression and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding activity in MC/9 mast cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, we suspect the anti-allergenic activities of MRAL, may be related to the regulation of transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding assay causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 in mast cells.

• Food Quality and Culture
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.85-88
• /
• 2008

We have investigated the effects of cottonseed extract on the proliferation, differentiation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of local factors in murine clonal osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Ethanol extract of cotton seed ($4{\sim}63{\mu}g/mL$) significantly increased the proliferatin of MC3T3-E1 cells (p<0.05). Moreover, cottonseed extract ($10{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$) caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and collagen content in the cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent stimulator of bone resorption in inflammatory diseases. We examined the effect of cottonseed extract on the LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-$\alpha$) and nitric oxide (NO) in MC3T3-E1 cells. Treatment with cottonseed extract ($10{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$) decreased the $5{\mu}g/mL$ LPS-induced production of TNF-$\alpha$ and NO in osteoblasts, suggesting that the antiresorptive action of cottonseed extract may be mediated by decrease in these local factors. This study suggests that cottenseed may contribute to antiresorptive action against osteoblastic cells, resulting in a beneficial effect in promoting the function of osteoblastic cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.10
• /
• pp.1102-1109
• /
• 2014

Chungkookjang has several functional properties, such as fibrinolytic activity, anticancer effects, and antioxidant effects. However, children do not like Chungkookjang because of its foul odor. A mixed culture of Bacillus subtilis MC31 and Lactobacillus sakei 383 was used to improve the production of GABA in Chungkookjang and its flavor. Most of the foul odor of Chungkookjang was removed. The slime content and viscosity of Chungkookjang fermented in the mixed culture were similar to those of commercial Chungkookjang when B. subtilis MC31 and Lactobacillus sakei 383 were inoculated in a 1:1 ratio. The maximum GABA content was obtained when Chungkookjang was fermented with B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383, which was fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. During the period of fermentation, the viable cell number of B. subtilis MC31 reached a peak (log 9.13 CFU/g) at six days, and L. sakei 383 reached a peak (log 6.78 CFU/g) at two days. The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber contents were 61.71%, 2.05%, 17.54%, 8.36%, and 1.95%, respectively. The amino-type nitrogen content of Chungkookjang fermented by B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383 was less than Chungkookjang fermented by B. subtilis MC31 alone. The ammonia-type nitrogen and reducing sugar content of the Chungkookjang fermented by B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383 were higher than that of steamed soybean. The glutamic acid and GABA content detected with an amino acid analyzer were 1.40 mg/g and 0.47 mg/g, respectively. These results suggest that fermentation with B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383 in a 1:1 ratio removes more of the foul odor and increases the GABA content compared with single fermentation.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 2000

In previous study, both constitutive expression and 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC)-mediated elevation of CYP1A2 mRNA were demonstrated in human hepatoma HepG2 cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), suggesting that HepG2 cells would be appropriate for the study of human CYP1A2 regulation(Chung and Bresnick, 1994). Further studies were conducted to determine the basis of this induction phenomenon that is observed in HepG2 cells. Since CYP1A1 gene, another polycyclic hydrocarbon(PH)-inducible gene, is regulated by PHs through their interactions via receptors with cis-elements, the 5'-flanking region of human CYP 1A2 gene was analyzed to search such responsive elements. The promoter activity of various lengths of CYP1A2 gene sequence (-3203/+58bp) was measured in transiently-transfected HepG2 cells by fusion constructs containing the CAT, hGH or luciferase genes as a reporter. This region of the CYP1A2 gene, although containing a XRE, was only weakly responsive (less than 2 fold induction) to 10 nM of TCDD or 1 $\mu$M 3 MC treatment. This small enhancement of promoter activity is inconsistent with the previous observation, i.e., 12 to 14 fold-enhanced CYP1A2 mRNA from 1 $\mu$M 3 MC treated HepG2 cells, suggesting that additional mechanisms would exist for PH-mediated induction of CYP1A2 in these cells.

• Journal of Convergence Society for SMB
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2016

In this paper, we introduce the PB/MC-CDMA (Partial Block/Multi-Carrier-Code Division Multiple Access) system to mitigate inter-cell interference (ICI) and enhance user capacity in the small cell environment. In 5G mobile communications, the number of devices connected to the network is expected to increase exponentially with the expansion of the IoT (Internet of Things) services. In addition, each device is expected to be required by the various data rates by their content types. In LTE/LTE-A, there are some limitations that large scale connectivity and supporting various data rates. Therefore, we introduce a PB/MC-CDMA physical layer system which is suitable for the small cell environment, and evaluate the performance in the multi cell environment which is affected by ICI. Through computer simulation results, we demonstrate the effectiveness of PB/MC-CDMA for the small cell environment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.spc
• /
• pp.19-30
• /
• 2014

Microcystins (MCs) produced by cyanobacteria are severe hepatotoxins for mammalian and protein phosphatase inhibitors. Irrigation water for grain and vegetables is often contaminated with cyanobacteria and microcystin during warm seasons. We assessed the effects of various concentrations (0, 0.01 to $10{\mu}gmL^{-1}$) of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and microcystin-RR (MC-RR) exposure on Oryza sativa (rice) and Brassica oleraces var. italica (broccoli). The $EC_{50}$ of leaves and roots of rice was 0.9 and $1.1{\mu}gMC-LRmL^{-1}$, respectively. The no observed effect level (NOEL) of rice was less than $0.1{\mu}gmL^{-1}$ ($100{\mu}gL^{-1}$). The $EC_{50}$ of the stems and roots of broccoli was 8.7 and $7.2{\mu}gMC-RRmL^{-1}$, respectively. There was no difference in the germination rate of broccoli among microcystin-RR concentrations. After exposure to 0, 0.01 to $10{\mu}gmL^{-1}$ MC-RR for seven days, 14, 89 and 154 ng mg-1 (dry weight) MC-RR accumulated in B. oleracea. These $EC_{50}$ values showed that microcystin-LR and -RR affected the growth of rice and broccoli. These findings suggest that MC is carried into terrestrial ecosystems via irrigation, and that the biota of higher ecological niches can be influenced by MC through bioaccumulation. Therefore, a guideline for MC concentrations in irrigation water should be set using the NOEL.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 1992

Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba commonly found in moist soil and fresh water, enters the body via the nasal mucosa and migrates along the olfactory nerve to t he brain, where it causes acute amoebic meningoencephalitis. In the present study 7 clones secreting monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against N. fowleri were produced and the effector function of them was investigated. Their isotopes were IgGl (Nf 1, Nf 154), 19G3 (Nf 137) and 19A (Nf 1, Nf 2, Nf 256, Nf 279). Five McAbs (McAb Nf 2, Nf 279, Nf 27, Nf 154, Nf 137) were specific for N. fowleri by ELISA and recognized the antigenic determinants located on the trophoBoite surface by IFAT and immunoperoxidase stain. These aye McAbs had capacity to agglutinate N. fowleri trophozoites and inhibited the growth of the amoeba in culture medium. McAb Nf 2 inhibited proliferation of trophozoites in vitro significantly. Also the cytotoxicity of JV. fowleri against CHO cell was reduced in the presence of McAb Nf 2 and McAb Nf 154. From these results McAb Nf 2 was confirmed to weaken the virulence of the amoeba among 7 screened McAbs.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.40-50
• /
• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of density, temperature, size, and grain direction on measurement of moisture contents (MC) of wood materials non-destructively. The MC of different sizes of solid wood, glulam, and CLT from larch (larix kaempferi, $560kg/m^3$) and pine (pinus koraiensis, $430kg/m^3$) were measured using the dielectric type and resistance type meters. The specimens were conditioned in the environmental chamber to be equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of 12 % and 19 %. When density setting in dielectric type meter was increased from $400kg/m^3$ to $600kg/m^3$, the MCs of specimen (S-L-100-E) were decreased from 13.4 % to 11.3 %. However, when wood group (WG) setting in resistance type meter was changed from WG1 to WG4, the measured MCs were increased from 9.2 % to 12.3 %. When temperature setting in resistance type meters was changed from 0 to $35^{\circ}C$, the MC was decreased from 17.0 % to 13.0 %. The MCs measured by dielectric type meter for larger specimens (S-L-100-E_11.3 %, G-L-240-E_11.7 % and C-L-120-E_12.8 %) were higher than those of small size specimens (S-L-30-E_8.7 %, G-L-150-E_10.3 %, and C-L-90-E_9.7 %). The MCs measured by resistance type meter for larger specimens (G-L-240-E_11.6 % and C-L-120-E_13.3 %) were also higher than those of small size specimens (G-L-150-E_10.4 %, and C-L-90-E_11.8 %). The resistance type meter was not affected by the grain direction but the dielectric type meter were affected by the grain direction. The MC measured by resistance type meter for G-L-120-E perpendicular to grain direction was 11.5 % and the measured MC parallel to grain direction was 11.3 %. The MC measured by dielectric type meter parallel to grain direction (12.1 %) was higher than that measured perpendicular to grain direction (10.7 %).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the porcine MC4R gene and validate the effect of the MC4R genotype for marker assisted selection (MAS). Six amplicons were produced to analyze the entire base sequences of the porcine MC4R gene and six SNPs were detected (c.-780C>G, c.-135C>T, c.175C>T-Leu59Leu, c.707A>G-Arg236His, c.892A>G-Asp298Asn, and c.*430A>T). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) of the six SNPs was analyzed by performing haploid analysis. There was a perfect linkage disequilibrium in c.-780C>G, c.-135C>T, c.175C>T-Leu59Leu, c.707A>G-Arg236His, and c.*430A>T. Only the c.892A>G (Asp298Asn) SNP showed a very low LD with an $r^2$ value of 0.028 and the D' value of 0.348. As a result, the two SNPs-c.707A>G (Arg236His) and c.892A>G (Asp298Asn)-were selected to extract the genotype frequencies from the 5 pig breeds by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotype analysis method. The SNP frequency of c.707A>G (Arg236His) indicated the presence of the A (His) allele only in Yorkshire, while the G allele was fixed in the KNP, Landrace, Berkshire, and Duroc. Association analysis was carried out in 484 pigs with the c.707A>G (Arg236His) SNP and the meat quality traits of four different pig cross populations: a significant association was noted in crude fat, sirloin moisture, meat color, and the degree of red and yellow coloration. The frequency of the c.892A>G(Asp298Asn) SNP genotype varied among the breeds; while Duroc showed the highest frequency of the A (Asn) allele, KNP showed the highest frequency of the G (Asp) allele. Association analysis was carried out in 1126 pigs with the c.892A>G (Asp298Asn) SNP and the meat quality traits of four pig populations: a highly significant linkage was noted in the back-fat thickness (P<0.002). It was found that the back-fat thickness was higher in individuals with the AA genotype than in those with the AG or GG genotype. Thus, in this study, we verified that the c.892A>G (Asp298Asn) SNP in the pig MC4R gene has a sufficient effect as a gene marker for MAS in Korean pork industry.