• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.299-326
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to find out some factors affecting the social prejudice perceived by people with psychiatric disability(PPD) and to present some useful explanations for those effects based on theories from symbolic interactionism. The hypotheses were as follow. First, the higher the symptoms, the higher will be the perceived social prejudice of PPD. Second, if PPD have vocational roles, the perceived prejudice will be lower. Third, if PPD want more services or supports for vocational rehabilitation, the perceived prejudice will be higher. Fourth, the higher the perceived prejudice of family members, the higher will be the perceived prejudice of PPD. The results show that the major hypotheses were supported. Based on the results some theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. First, this study made a little contribution to the study of perceived social prejudice of PPD providing some useful theoretical basis and empirical evidences. Secondly, due to the limitation of the data and cross-sectional research the results of this study need to be duplicated under more rigorous experimental or quasi-experimental study. Concerning the clinical intervention, it should be stressed to provide valued social roles to help PPD protect themselves from social prejudices. Secondly, rehabilitation professionals need to help PPD cope with increasing perceived prejudice while pursuing valued social roles such as employee. Third, rehabilitation professionals should assess the perceived prejudice of family members and to help them resist social prejudices through education, self-help groups, and other advocating strategies. Lastly, professionals should be carful not to blame family members for the adverse effects of their perceived prejudice on PPD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.325-333
• /
• 2021

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. Enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis by promoting proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for AD. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and oleanolic acid (OA) are small, bioactive compounds found in ginseng that can promote NSC proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro. However, it is currently unknown whether PPD or OA can attenuate cognitive deficits by enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo in a transgenic APP/PS1 AD mouse model. Here, we administered PPD or OA to APP/PS1 mice and monitored the effects on cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis. Methods: We used the Morris water maze, Y maze, and open field tests to compare the cognitive capacities of treated and untreated APP/PS1 mice. We investigated hippocampal neurogenesis using Nissl staining and BrdU/NeuN double labeling. NSC proliferation was quantified by Sox2 labeling of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. We used western blotting to determine the effects of PPD and OA on Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway activation in the hippocampus. Results: Both PPD and OA significantly ameliorated the cognitive impairments observed in untreated APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, PPD and OA significantly promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and NSC proliferation. At the mechanistic level, PPD and OA treatments resulted in Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway activation in the hippocampus. Conclusion: PPD and OA ameliorate cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice by enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis, achieved by stimulating the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. As such, PPD and OA are promising novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.572-582
• /
• 2023

Background: Free fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity is considered to play an important role in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. The effect of ginsenosides on palmitic acid-induced pancreatic beta-cells cell death and failure of glucose-stimulated secretion of insulin (GSIS) was evaluated in this study. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for a rat insulin was used to quantify glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Protein expression was examined by western blotting analysis. Nuclear condensation was measured by staining with Hoechst 33342 stain. Apoptotic cell death was assessed by staining with Annexin V. Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation. Results: We screened ginsenosides to prevent palmitic acid-induced cell death and impairment of GSIS in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and identified protopanaxadiol (PPD) as a potential therapeutic agent. The protection effect of PPD was likely due to a reduction in apoptosis and lipid accumulation. PPD attenuated the palmitic acid-induced increase in the levels of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, PPD prevented palmitic acid-induced impairment of insulin secretion, which was accompanied by an increase in the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, insulin receptor substrate-2, serine-threonine kinase, and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the protective effect of PPD on lipotoxicity and lipid accumulation induced by palmitic acid in pancreatic β-cells.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.41-59
• /
• 1998

Thermal comfort aspect of a locally-cooled target space in warm and humid environments(typically in the rainy summer season) was studied in view of PPD index. First. theoretical analyses were conducted to examine the effect of the governing parameters(such as air temperature, relative humidity and air velocity, etc.) using a computer model. Secondly, experimental investigations were also performed in a climatic room designed to simulate corresponding thermal conditions of outdoor environments. During the tests, temporal variation of PPD was recorded as functions of climatic variables(outdoor and indoor temperatures, relative humidity and air velocity) for the given human factors(metabolic heat generation and clothing). From both theoretical and experimental investigations, air temperature and air velocity were found to be the most dominant parameters affecting PPD of the target space. Results were summarized as: 1. Relative humidity of the locally-cooled target space tends to approach that of outdoor's as the space is subjected to an ON-OFF mode of cooling, since moisture potential of the two rooms reaches an equalized state as a result of moisture diffusion. 2. It was recognized that changes in relative humidity did not show any significance in view of thermal comfort as was reported in the previous studies, while variations of both temperature and air velocity caused relatively large changes in the degree of thermal comfort. 3. In-door environment should be evaluated in terms of PPD instead of relative humidity commonly recognized as an important climatic variable particularly in warm and humid environments.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.1195-1201
• /
• 2004

Tyrosinase was covalently immobilized on platinum electrode according to the method we developed for laccase (Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 2002, 23(7), 385) and p-chlorophenol, p-cresol, and phenol could be detected with sensitivities of 334, 139 and 122 nA/ ${\mu}M$ and the detection limits of 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 ${\mu}M$, respectively. The response time ($t_{90\%}$) is 3 seconds for p-chlorophenol, and 5 seconds for p-cresol and phenol. The optimal pHs of the sensor are in the range of 5.0- 6.0. This sensor can tolerate at least 500 times repeated injections of p-chlorophenol with retaining 80% of initial activity. In case of tyrosinase and laccase co immobilized platinum electrode, the sensitivities are 560 nA/ ${\mu}M$ for p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and 195 nA/ ${\mu}M$ for p-chlorophenol, respectively. The sensitivity of the bi-enzyme sensor for PPD increases 70% compared to that of only laccase immobilized one, but the sensitivity for p-chlorophenol decreases 40% compared to that of only tyrosinase immobilized one. The sensitivity increase for the bi-enzyme sensor for PPD can be ascribed to the additional catalytic function of the co-immobilized tyrosinase. The sensitivity decrease for p-chlorophenol can be explained by the “blocking effect” of the co-immobilized laccase, which hinders the mass transport through the immobilized layer. If PPD was detected with the electrode that had been used for p-chlorophenol, the sensitivity decreased 20% compared to that of the electrode that had been used only for PPD. Similarly, if p-chlorophenol was detected with PPD detected electrode, the sensitivity also decreased 20%. The substrate-induced conformation changes of the enzymes in a confined layer may be responsible for the phenomena.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.505-514
• /
• 2022

Background: The roots of Panax ginseng contain two types of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, namely, protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type saponins and protopanaxatiol (PPT)-type saponins. In P. ginseng, the protopanaxadiol 6-hydroxylase (PPT synthase) enzyme catalyses protopanaxatriol (PPT) production from protopanaxadiol (PPD). In this study, we constructed homozygous mutant lines of ginseng by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of the PPT synthase gene and obtained the mutant ginseng root lines having complete depletion of the PPT-type ginsenosides. Methods: Two sgRNAs (single guide RNAs) were designed for target mutations in the exon sequences of the two PPT synthase genes (both PPTa and PPTg sequences) with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Transgenic ginseng roots were generated through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The mutant lines were screened by ginsenoside analysis and DNA sequencing. Result: Ginsenoside analysis revealed the complete depletion of PPT-type ginsenosides in three putative mutant lines (Cr4, Cr7, and Cr14). The reduction of PPT-type ginsenosides in mutant lines led to increased accumulation of PPD-type ginsenosides. The gene editing in the selected mutant lines was confirmed by targeted deep sequencing. Conclusion: We have established the genome editing protocol by CRISPR/Cas9 system in P. ginseng and demonstrated the mutated roots producing only PPD-type ginsenosides by depleting PPT-type ginsenosides. Because the pharmacological activity of PPD-group ginsenosides is significantly different from that of PPT-group ginsenosides, the new type of ginseng mutant producing only PPD-group ginsenosides may have new pharmacological characteristics compared to wild-type ginseng. This is the first report to generate target-induced mutations for the modification of saponin biosynthesis in Panax species using CRISPR-Cas9 system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.543-551
• /
• 2023

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is a representative Chinese herbal medicine with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) has been isolated from ginseng and shown to have promising pharmacological activities. However, effects of PDD on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) have not been reported. We hypothesize that PDD may reverse inflammation-induced PF and be a novel therapeutic strategy. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a model of PF induced by bleomycin (BLM). The pulmonary index was measured, and histological and immunohistochemical examinations were made. Cell cultures of mouse alveolar epithelial cells were analyzed with Western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, siRNA transfection, cellular thermal shift assay and qRT-PCR. Results: The survival rate of PPD-treated mice was higher than that of untreated BLM-challenged mice. Expression of fibrotic hallmarks, including α-SMA, TGF-β1 and collagen I, was reduced by PPD treatment, indicating attenuation of PF. Mice exposed to BLM had higher STING levels in lung tissue, and this was reduced by phosphorylated AMPK after activation by PPD. The role of phosphorylated AMPK in suppressing STING was confirmed in TGF-b1-incubated cells. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses indicated that PPD treatment attenuated BLM-induced PF by modulating the AMPK/STING signaling pathway. Conclusion: PPD ameliorated BLM-induced PF by multi-target regulation. The current study may help develop new therapeutic strategies for preventing PF.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 2024

Background: Epimers of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have a low bioavailability and are prone to deglycosylation, which produces epimers of ginsenoside Rh2 (S-Rh2 and R-Rh2) and protopanaxadiol (S-PPD and R-PPD). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and potency of these molecules as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Crystal violet staining was used to study the anti-proliferatory action of the molecules on a human epithelial breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and compare their potency. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry and mode of cell death was studied using live cell imaging. Anti-angiogenic effects of the drug were studied using loop formation assay. Molecular docking showed the interaction of these molecules with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels. VEGF bioassay was used to study the interaction of Rh2 with VEGFR2, in vitro. Results: HUVEC was the more sensitive cell line to the anti-proliferative effects of S-Rh2, S-PPD and R-PPD. The molecules induced necroptosis/necrosis in MDA-MB-231 and apoptosis in HUVEC. S-Rh2 was the most potent inhibitor of loop formation. In silico molecular docking predicted a good binding score between Rh2 or PPD and the ATP-binding pocket of VEGFR2. VEGF bioassay showed that Rh2 was an allosteric modulator of VEGFR2. In addition, SRh2 and PPD had good binding scores with AQP1 and AQP5, both of which play roles in cell migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The combination of these molecules might be responsible for the anti-cancer effects observed by Rg3.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.334-342
• /
• 1992

Background: The activated T lymphocyte by inhalaed mycobacterial antigen may evoke cell-mediated immunity in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. These activated lymphocyte may influence the response of tuberculin-purified protein derivative (PPD) in skin test. But occasionally, anergy to PPD appear in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in spite of active stage. Thus we evaluated the effect of change of subtypes of lymphocyte in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) and peripheral blood on anergy to PPD in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Method: We performed tuberculin skin test and flow-cytometry analysis of lymphocytes obtained from BAL fluid and peripheral blood in 11 healthy normal volunteers and 20 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Results: 1) The composition of lymphocyte significantly increased in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis when compared with that in healthy control ($25.2{\pm}4.8$ vs $6.5{\pm}1.3%$, p<0.01), but composition of monocyte significantly decreased ($69.6{\pm}5.7$ vs $89.2{\pm}1.4%$, p<0.05) in analysis of BAL fluid. 2) There were no differences in compositions of cells in BAL fluid between responders and no-responders to PPD. 3) The compositions of CD3 (+), CD4 (+), CD3 (+) IL-2R (+), CD3 (+) HLA-DR (+) significantly increased in BAL fluid when compared with those in peripheral blood in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. But the composition of CDS (+), CD4/CDS were not different between BAL fluid and peripheral blood. 4) There were no correlations between response to PPD and compositions of cells and lymphocyte subtypes in BAL fluid and peripheral blood in all patients with tuberculosis, responders, and no-responders, respectively. Conclusion: From these results, we suggest no direct relationship between compositions of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and we could not rule out the possibility of compartmentalization of activated lymphocyte involving in anergy to PPD in skin test in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.316-323
• /
• 2009

Ginseng saponins have various pharmacological effects on the immune system. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) are the species of ginseng saponin metabolites that are formed by human intestinal bacteria and detected in circulation. The effects of PPD and PPT on the inflammatory mediator release from the activated mast cells were tested. Histamine release was evaluated in activated guinea pig lung mast cells, and the secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) was assessed in an HMC-1 cell after treating it with ginseng saponin metabolites. The results are as follows. PPT, at its maximum concentration of $100\;{\mu}M$, completely abolished the secretion of IL-4 from the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell. It also inhibited IL-8 secretion from the same cells by about 40-50% of the PMA-treated DMSO control. PPD, at its maximum concentration of $100\;{\mu}M$, showed a tendency to induce histamine release from the guinea pig lung mast cells. It inhibited the secretion of IL-4 (by 89% of the PMA-treated DMSO control) in the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell, but did have a significant effect on the IL-8 release from the same cell. Both PPD and PPT showed no effects, however, on the release of TNF-${\alpha}$ from the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell. These results suggest that PPD and PPT are from the ginseng metabolites that are responsible for the immunomodulating activity of ginseng extracts when they are taken orally.