• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.228-234
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• 2012

The varying characteristics between traditional and commercial soy sauce may be initiated by raw materials and fermentation techniques for the production of $meju$ and $koji$. We examined properties regarding polysaccharides isolated from commercial soy sauce made by the $koji$ process (CSP-0) and Korean traditional soy sauce made by the $meju$ process (KTSP-0) as well as their immuno-stimulating activities. KTSP-0 had rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) including 1.1% of unusual monosaccharides 3-deoxy-D-$manno$-2-octulosonic acid (KDO). Anti-complementary activities of CSP-0 and KTSP- 0 were increased dose-dependently but KTSP-0 (64.7%) was higher than CSP-0 (56%) at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. C3 activation products were identified by crossed immuno-electrophoresis. CSP-0 caused complementary activations $via$ only classical pathway while KTSP-0 caused complementary activations $via$ both alternative and classical pathways. KTSP-0 significantly increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 at $8-1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and IL-12 at $40{\mu}g/mL$ on macrophages. The results suggest that the immuno-stimulating activity of KTSP-0 is greater than that of CSP-0 from anti-complementary activity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Seakso 1, a maize hybrid, was developed in 2008 by Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Korea and registered in 2011. It is single-cross hybrid, semi-flint, deep-purple variety of corn, variety of are yellow, while the husks and cobs are purple. Due to the sensitivity of Seakso 1 to excess moisture after seeding, water supply should be carefully managed, and it should be harvested at a suitable time to obtain the highest anthocyanin content. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Saekso 1 corn husk and cob extracts (EHCS) in oleic acid-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells. EHCS showed a high level of lipid accumulation inhibiting effect. EHCS also suppressed triglyceride accumulation and inhibited expression of lipid marker genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a). Analysis by western blot of the expression of p-AMPK, p-SREBP1, PPARα, and FAS proteins showed that the incidence of SREBP1 protein, a major factor involved in lipid metabolism in the liver, has decreased significantly after treatment with the extracts. Moreover, the protein-induced expression of FAS, a major enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathways of fatty acids, was decreased significantly in all concentrations. These results suggest that EHCS is a potent agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2016

The root bark of Ulmus macrocarpa has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as edema, infection and inflammation. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effects remain unclear. In this study, as part of our ongoing screening program to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of new compounds from traditional medicinal resources, we investigated the effects of U. macrocarpa water extract (UME) on immune modulation in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage model. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were evaluated. Although the release of IL-1β remained unchanged in UME-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the productions of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased, along with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase, TNF-α and IL-10 expression at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. UME treatment also induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) indicating that UME activated macrophages through the activation of NF-κB, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, pre-treatment with UME significantly attenuated the production of NO, but not TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells suggesting that UME may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of UME may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

We recently reported the distributions of AMPA ($\alpha$-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate) receptor subtypes glutamate receptors (GluR) 1 and GluR4 in the superior colliculi (SC) of hamsters with antibody immunocytochemistry and the effect of enucleation on these distributions. We also compared these labelings to those of calcium-binding proteins calbindin D28K, calretinin, parvalbumin, and GABA. In the present study, we investigated whether the GluR1- and GluR4-immunoreactive (IR) neurons are interneurons or projection neurons by injection of the retrograde tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into one of each major ascending and descending pathways of the SC. HRP injections were made into a tecto-reticulospinal pathway (TRS) and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). Animals were then allowed to recover and to survive for 48 hr before perfusion. Sections containing retrograde-labeled neurons were then treated for GluR-immunoreactivity. HRP injections proved that only a small population of the GluR1-IR cells project into TRS (1.4%) and dLGN (2.6%). However, a large subpopulation of GluR4-IR cells project into TRS (32.7%). The differential compositions of inter/projection neurons, along with our previous studies on the separate distribution of the GluR subunits, its differential co-localization with calcium-binding proteins and GABA, and differential reactions to enucleations, strongly imply the functional variety of the receptor subunits in visual behavior responses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1215-1224
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• 2017

Until now, various oncogenic pathways were idenfied. The accumulation of DNA mutation induces genomic instability in the cell, and it makes cancer. The development of bioinformatics and genomics, to find the precise and reliable biomarker is available. This biomarker could be applied the early-dignosis, prediction and convalescence of cancer. Recently, Transposable elements (TEs) have been attracted as the regulator of genes, because they occupy a half of human genome, and the cause of various diseases. TEs induce DNA mutation, as well as the regulation of gene expression, that makes to cancer development. So, we confirmed the relationship between TEs and colon cancer, and provided the clue for colon cancer biomarker. First, we confirmed long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1), Alu, and long terminal repeats (LTRs) and their relationship to colon cancer. Because these elements have large composition and enormous effect to the human genome. Interestingly, colon cancer specific patterns were detected, such as the hypomethylation of LINE-1, LINE-1 insertion in the APC gene, hypo- or hypermethylation of Alu, and isoform derived from LTR insertion. Moreover, hypomethylation of LINE-1 in proto-oncogene is used as the biomarker of colon cancer metastasis, and MLH1 mutation induced by Alu is detected in familial or hereditary colon cancer. The genes, effected by TEs, were analyzed their expression patterns by in silico analysis. Then, we provided tissue- and gender-specific expression patterns. This information can provide reliable cancer biomarker, and apply to prediction and diagnosis of colon cancer.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.980-987
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• 2003

In this report, we investigated the detoxication effects of Saururus chinenis, Geranium nepalense, Lonicera japonica, Cassia obtusifolia, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, or their mixtures by employing acute toxicity tests for nicotine and dioxin. When fatal doses $(LD_{100}\;=\;42\;mg/kg)$ of nicotine were injected into the abdominal cavities of ICR mice, those treated with OHEM showed delayed paralysis, half the duration of hyperactivity, and a 73 % survival rate. The results revealed the strong detoxicating effects of the mixtures. We also measured the amount of the degradation product of nicotine and cotinine in humans. Consumption of OHEM promoted (he more specific) the metabolic pathways of nicotine, increasing continine excretion by 1.5 times. As a result the amount of cotinine in urine was reduced to less than 5% after treatment with OHEM. In order to test the toxicity of dioxin, we used TcnN(SD)BR rats exposed to TCDD. While TCDD treatment reduced the blood levels of hemoglobin and platelet, OHEM consumption relieved these effects and, furthermore, helped to recover the number of platelet to the normal level (p<0.05). Moreover, neutrophils (%) and monocytes (%), which were reduced by the injection of TCDD, recovered to normal levels upon treatment with OHEM. The amount albumin reduced by TCDD (p<0.05) normalized, while the activities of GOT and GTP increased by TCDD were reduced. Increases in total cholesterol and neutral fatty acids induced by TCDD were also reduced by OHEM injection (p<0.05). In the kidney, TCDD-induced rises in creatinine were suppressed by OHEM treatment, while decreases in iron levels from TCDD were raised to normal. The treatment of TCDD had more toxic effects in the blood and pancreas than on the liver, kidney and heart. On the other hand, the detoxication of OHEM had significant effects on the liver and pancreas. The normalization by OHEM of various clinical abnormalities induced by TCDD demonstrates the detoxicating effect of OHEM that ameliorates systemic metabolism not properly functioning.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2008

A Korean urban contamination model METRO-K (${\underline{M}}odel$ for ${\underline{E}}stimates$ the ${\underline{T}}ransient$ Behavior of ${\underline{R}}adi{\underline{O}}active$ Materials in the ${\underline{K}}orean$ Urban Environment, which is capable of calculating the exposure doses resulting from radioactive contamination in an urban environment, is taking part in a model testing program EMRAS (${\underline{E}}nvironmental$ ${\underline{M}}odelling$ for ${\underline{RA}}diation$ ${\underline{S}}afety$) oragnized by the IAEA (${\underline{I}}nternational$ ${\underline{A}}tomic$ ${\underline{E}}nergy$ ${\underline{A}}gency$). For radioactive contamination scenarios of Pripyat districts and a hypothetical RDD (${\underline{R}}adiological$ ${\underline{D}}ispersal$ ${\underline{D}}evice$), the predicted results using METRO-K were submitted to the EMRAS's Urban Contamination Working Group. In this paper, the predicted results for the contamination scenarios of a Pripyat district were shown in case of both without remediation measures and with ones. Comparing with the predictied results of the models that have taken part in EMRAS program, a feasibility for decision-making support of METRO-K was investigated. As a predicted result of METRO-K, to take immediately remediation measures following a radioactive contamination, if possible, might be one of the best ways to reduce exposure dose. It was found that the discrepancies of predicted results among the models are resulted from 1) modeling approaches and applied parameter values, 2) exposure pathways which are considered in models, 3) assumptions of assessor such as contamination surfaces which might affect to an exposure receptor and their sizes, 4) parameter values which are related with remediation measures applied through literature survey. It was indentified that a Korean urban contamination model METRO-K is a useful tool for dicision-making support through the participation of EMRAS program.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.304-309
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• 1992

Background: The alveolar macrophage may metabolize arachidonic acid through cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase- catalyzed pathways to produce a variety of metabolites of arachidonic acid. The production of these metabolites of arachidonic acid may enhance the defensive ability of the challenged lung. However, continued stimulation with the consequent production of proinflammtory metabolites of arachidonic acid, may ultimately enhance the disease process by contributing to chronic bronchoconstriction, fibrosis, and the persistent release of toxic oxygen species. Silicosis is an example of a disease process resulting from chronic exposure of the lung to foreign particles. This study was carried out to evaluate the changes of arachidonic acid metabolites from macrophages in experimental silicosis. Methods: We measured $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$ in cultured macrophages taken from rats by radioimmunoassay at 24 and 48 hours after stimulation by silica dust, natural carbon dust, lipopolysaccharide, calcium ionophore (A23187) and medium (RPMI) as a control. For the experimental silicosis, 50 mg silica in 0.5 ml saline was administered intratracheally into the rat and grown to 20 weeks and measured $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$ in the cultured macrophages lavaged from that rat. The used stimulants were the same as above. Results: 1) The amount of $PGE_2$ in the cultred macrophages from normal rat was significantly decreased in the group which was stimulated with silica dust for 48 hours compare with control non-stimulated group. 2) In the experimental silicosis group, $PGE_2$, release in cultured macrophages after 48 hours incubation with silica and natural carbon dust tended to be lower than those of non-stimulated group. 3) There were marked changes of $LTB_4$ in the groups of normal rats which were incubated with silica for 24, 48 hours and natural carbon for 48 hours compared with non-stimulated group. 4) In the experimental silicosis group, the release of $LTB_4$ was significantly increased macrophages cultured with silica and natural carbon dust after 24 and 48 hours incubation compared with non-stimulated group. Conclusion: The results of these studies suggest that the in vitro exposure of rat alveolar macrophge to silica and coal dust results in an alteration in alveolar macrophage metabolism of arachidonic acid that may promote an inflammatory reaction in lung tissue.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.77-90
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this review Is to provide an update on novel radiation treatments for head and neck cancer Recent Findings: Despite the remarkable advances In chemotherapy and radiotherapy techniques, the management of advanced head and neck cancer remains challenging. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Is an appealing target for novel therapies In head and neck cancer because not only EGFR activation stimulates many important signaling pathways associated with cancer development and progression, and importantly, resistance to radiation. Furthermore, EGFR overexpression Is known to be portended for a worse outcome in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Two categories of compounds designed to abrogate EGFR signaling, such as monoclonal antibodies (Cetuxlmab) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ZD1839 and 051-774) have been assessed and have been most extensively studied In preclinical models and clinical trials. Additional TKIs In clinical trials include a reversible agent, Cl-1033, which blocks activation of all erbB receptors. Encouraging preclinical data for head and neck cancers resulted In rapid translation Into the clinic. Results from Initial clinical trials show rather surprisingly that only minority of patients benefited from EGFR inhibition as monotherapy or In combination with chemotherapy. In this review, we begin with a brief summary of erbB- mediated signal transduction. Subsequently, we present data on prognostic-predictive value of erbB receptor expression in HNC followed by preclinlcal and clinical data on the role of EGFR antagonists alone or in combination with radiation In the treatment of HNC. Finally, we discuss the emerging thoughts on resistance to EGFR biockade and efforts In the development of multiple-targeted therapy for combination with chemotherapy or radiation. Current challenges for investigators are to determine (1 ) who will benefit from targeted agents and which agents are most appropriate to combine with radiation and/or chemotherapy, (2) how to sequence these agents with radiation and/or cytotoxlc compounds, (3) reliable markers for patient selection and verification of effective blockade of signaling in vivo, and (4) mechanisms behind intrinsic or acquired resistance to targeted agents to facilitate rational development of multi-targeted therapy, Other molecuiar-targeted approaches In head and neck cancer were briefly described, Including angloenesis Inhibitors, farnesyl transferase inhibitors, cell cycle regulators, and gene therapy Summary: Novel targeted theraples are highly appealing in advanced head and neck cancer, and the most premising strategy to use them Is a matter of intense Investigation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.617-636
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• 2015

The Mokpo coastal waters receive discharges from three artificial lakes(Youngsan, Youngam, Geumho) and other terrigenous freshwater inflows(streams, sewage treatment effluent, fresh groundwater), which exhibit very high concentrations of nutrients and/or organic matters. To understand spatial distributions of nutrients(DIN, DIP, DSi) and other water quality parameters(Chl-a, water temperature, salinity, DO, COD, SS), field surveys were conducted at 10 stations in the Mokpo harbor and adjacent estuaries on May, July, September, and November 2008 within 10 days following discharge events from artificial lakes. In this study, the freshwater flow rate influxed by the operation of sea dike sluice had significant influence on water qualities of the Mokpo coastal waters, although nutrient concentrations in other freshwater sources such as streams, sewage treatment effluent, and fresh groundwater were much higher. As a result of statistical analysis, DIN, COD, and Chl-a had a negative correlation with salinity. Therefore it was shown that discharge extents, time, and nutrients from the Youngsan lake were major impact factors dominating the spatial characteristics of nutrients and other water quality parameters in the Mokpo harbor and adjacent waters. However, despite non-discharge from the Youngsan Lake on September of this investigated period, it was observed that the nutrient addition was taking place in the lower layer of the estuary suggesting nutrient supply through different pathways. This result has emphasized the need to implement the combined assessment about the cumulative impacts on the Youngsan Estuary environment and ecosystem due to freshwater inputs derived from the artificial lakes as well as other terrigenous inflows, or benthic releases.