• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.812-827
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• 2006

To investigate the population structure and geographic distance among anchovies (Engraulis japonicus) in Korea, we compared and analyzed the mitochondrial DNA control region sequences (227 bp) of anchovies from 12 localities in inshore and offshore waters. The sequence analysis of 84 individuals showed 29 haplotypes, ranging in sequence divergence by pairwise comparisons from 0.3% to 3.5% (1 bp-12 bp). E9 haplotype of anchovies were found largely in inshore waters and also in offshore waters, which was regarded as the major source in Korean waters (58.3%). However, E26, E27, E28, and E29 haplotypes were found in westsouthern (locality 10, four among 7). Phylogenetic analysis using PHYLIP was divided into two clades (clade A and B). Most of the haplotypes, excluding E26, E27, E28, and E29, were strongly supported by bootstrap analysis (>75%), whereas the relationship between clade A and B was weakly supported by bootstrap analysis (51%). High levels of genetic diversity were found; haplotype diversity (H)=0.75-1.00, and nucleotide diversity $({\pi})=0.015-0.0244$. Analysis of $F_{ST}$ between populations in inshore waters ranged in 0.01-0.05, whereas those of offshore waters ranged in 0.01-0.58. A high gene flow occurred in inshore (Nm=22.61-34.22) and offshore (Nm=11.57-45.67) populations. The distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes between westsouthern and other populations was suggestive of significantly different differentiation ($F_{ST}$=0.20-0.59, p<0.05; d=0.52, p=0.00; ${\phi}=0.02-0.41$, p＜0.05). These results suggested that the overall anchovy population in the Korean peninsula caused considerable migration due to the mitochondrial gene flow between inshore and offshore populations to form a genetically homogenous and panmictic structure, although a heterogeneous population was found in this study.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth characteristics of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus seedlings under different shading treatments. Methods and Results: The shading treatment was regulated with the shading level (non-shaded, 35%, 55%, and 75% shading). Photosynthetic activities, such as net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, stomatal transpiration rate, and performance index on absorption basis ($PI_{ABS}$)were the highest under 35% shading ($4.36{\mu}mol\;CO_2{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, $54.2mmol\;H_2O{\cdot}m^2{\cdot}s^{-1}$, $0.66mmol\;H_2O{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and 1.3, respectively), and the lowest under 75% shading. This implies that the decrease in net photosynthetic rate may be due to an inability to regulate water and $CO_2$ exchanged through the stomata. Thechlorophylla, b, and a + b contents were increased with elevating shading level and the chlorophyll a/b ratio showed non-significant differences. It was found that the dry weight (leaf, shoot, and whole) was the highest (1.14 g, 0.49 g, and 2.31 g, respectively) under 35% shading and the t/R ratio was the highest under 75% shading. Conclusions: It is concluded that 75% shading exhibited a strong reduction of photosynthetic activity, and 35% shading showed the best conditions for the early growth and cultivation of A. dioicus var. kamtschaticus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.84-93
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• 2024

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic ester that protects human keratinocytes against oxidative damage induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, however, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the cell signaling mechanisms that regulate the antioxidant activity of RA and confirm its cyto-protective role. To explore the signaling mechanisms, we used the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and SKH1 hairless mouse skin. RA enhanced glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) expression in HaCaT cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, RA induced nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) nuclear translocation and activated the signaling kinases protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Treatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, the ERK inhibitor U0126, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) gene silencing suppressed RA-enhanced GCLC, GSS, and NRF2 expression, respectively. Cell viability tests showed that RA significantly prevented UVB-induced cell viability decrease, whereas the glutathione (GSH) inhibitors buthionine sulfoximine, LY294002, and U0126 significantly reduced this effect. Moreover, RA protected against DNA damage and protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis caused by UVB-induced oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner in SKH1 hairless mouse skin tissues. These results suggest that RA protects against UVB-induced oxidative damage by activating AKT and ERK signaling to regulate NRF2 signaling and enhance GSH biosynthesis. Thus, RA treatment may be a promising approach to protect the skin from UVB-induced oxidative damage.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1999

Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) is a hydrophilic gall bladder acid and has been used as a effective drug for liver disease related to in1munity. This drug inhibits secretions of IL-2, IL-4, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ from T-cells and production of immunoglobulin from B-cells. Also it has been reported that UDCA inhibits production of IL-1 related to the progression of periodontal disease and activation of collagenases. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of UDCA on inhibition of periodontal disease progression using clinical, microbiological and histometrical parameters. Twelve pure bred, 16 month-old-beagle dogs were used in the study. After ligature-induced periodontal diseases were formed, experimental drugs were applied twice a day and then the results of clinical, microbiological, and histometrical parameters were measured at baselie(initiation of experiment) , 4weeks and 8weeks. The gel with UDCA(concentration 0.5%, 5% 3 dogs in each) was applied to experimental group, chlorhexidine to positive control group(3dogs) and the gel without UDCA(base) to negative control group. After induction of general anesthesia, the maxillary 2nd, 3rd premolars and 1st molar and the mandibular 2nd, 3rd, 4th premolars and 1st molar were ligated in one side selected randomly and were not ligated in the opposite side. The plaque index(PI), gingival index(GI), pocket depth(PD) and gingival crevicular fluid(GCF) volum were measured clinically. The PI and GI were measured at 3 buccal points of all experimental teeth and the GCF was measured only at the 3rd premolar in the maxilla and the 4th premolar in the mandible. In the microbiological study, the samples extracted from the 3rd premolar of the maxilla and the 4th premolar of the mandible at the center of buccal surface were analyzed aerobics, anaerobics and Streptococcus colony forming units, After clinical and microbiological examination at 8weeks, the dogs were sacrificed by carotid artery perfusion. The samples were fixed and sectioned including interproximal area, and the distance from cementoenamel junction(CEJ) to alveolar crest was measured. The results were that PI, GI and PD increased until 4 weeks and decreased at 8 weeks in three groups but the differences between all the groups were not significant. The 0.5% UDCA in non-ligated group showed remarkable decrease of GCF. The experimental group applied 5% UDCA decreased the number of aerobics and anaerobics. The distance from CEJ to alveolar crest was greater in the negative control group on both ligated and non-ligated sides, but the differences were not significant stastically.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.857-863
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine among very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) who were vaccinated at 0, 1, 6 months of chronological age and to determine the factors associated with antibody formations. Methods : A total of 243 VLBWI admitted to Seoul and Gangneung Asan Medical Center neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2004 were included. Of 243, 13 infants were born to HBs Ag positive mother. All infants were given DNA recombinant vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months of chronological age. Infants born to HBs Ag positive mothers received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth and a total of 4 doses of vaccinations. An antibody level over 10 mIU/mL, tested at 3-4 months after last vaccination, was regarded as a positive seroconversion. Results : The seroconversion rates were 84.4 percent and 84.5 percent for VLBWI and extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI), respectively. Of 28 seronegative infants who were given revaccinations, 60.7 percent seroconverted, resulting in 95.3 percent, 97.5 percent seroconversion rates for VLBWI and ELBWI, respectively. 76.9 percent of infants born to HBsAg positive mothers seroconverted and none became hepatitis B carriers. Factors such as gestational age, sex, various neonatal illness, and kinds of vaccinations did not influence the formation of the hepatits B antibody, however, the higher the weight at time of first vacciation yielded better seroconversion rate. Conclusion : Revaccination of seronegative VLBWI after 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccinaton is very effective. Therefore, testing the immune status after the hepatitis B vaccination, a practice not routinely done, is highly recommended.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1637-1643
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• 2011

Korean native chickens are a very valuable chicken population in Korea and their prices are higher than that of commercial broilers. In order to discriminate two commercial Korean native chicken populations (CCP1 and CCP2), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from mitochondrial (mt) DNA D-loop sequences and LEI0258 marker polymorphisms in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region were investigated. A total of 718 birds from nine populations were sampled and 432 mtDNA sequences were obtained. Of these, two commercial Korean native chicken populations (363 birds) were used for investigation of their genetic relationship and breed differentiation. The sequence data classified the chickens into 20 clades, with the largest number of birds represented in clade 1. Analysis of the clade distribution indicated the genetic diversity and relation among the populations. Based on the mtDNA sequence analysis, three selected SNPs from mtDNA polymorphisms were used for the breed identification. The combination of identification probability (Pi) between CCP1 and CCP2 using SNPs from mtDNA and LEI0258 marker polymorphisms was 86.9% and 86.1%, respectively, indicating the utility of these markers for breed identification. The results will be applicable in designing breeding and conservation strategies for the Korean native chicken populations and also used for the development of breed identification markers.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2011

Background: Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and induces inflammation. In this study we attempted to ascertain if there are endogenous host molecules controlling the production of cytokines and chemokines. Two candidates, ribosomal protein L19 and L22, were analyzed to determine if they influence cytokine production followed by TLR3 activation. In this study we report that L19 acts upon production of IP-10 or IL-8 differently in glioblastoma cells. Methods: L19 or L22 was transfected into HEK293-TLR3, A549 or A172 cells. After treatment with several inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$, PI3K, p38 or ERK, production of IL-8 or IP-10 was measured by ELISA. siRNA was introduced to suppress expression of L19. After Vesicular stomatitis virus infection, viral multiplication was measured by western blot. Results: L19 increased ERK activation to produce IL-8. In A172 cells, in which TLR3 is expressed at endosomes, L19 inhibited interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and IP-10 production to facilitate viral multiplication, whereas L19 inhibited viral multiplication in A549 cells bearing TLR3 on their cell membrane. Conclusion: Our results suggest that L19 regulates TLR3 signaling, which is cell type specific and may be involved in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2007

Autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints and then results in their progressive destruction. Effector Th cells have been classified as Th1 and Th2 subsets based on their cytokine expression profiles and immune regulatory function. Another subset of T cells termed Th17 was recendy discovered and known to selectively produce IL-17. Also, Th17 was shown to be generated by TGF${\beta}$ and IL-6 and maintained by IL-23. IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine that is considered to involve the development of various inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as RA, asthma, lupus, and allograft rejection. IL-17 is present in the sera, synovial fluids and synovial biopsies of most RA patient. IL-17 activates RA synovial fibroblasts to synthesize IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF via PI3K/Akt and NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent pathway. IL-17 increases IL-6 production, collagen destruction and collagen synthesis. In addition, it not only causes bone resorption but also increases osteoclastogenesis and fetal cartilage destruction. Inhibition of the IL-17 production may contribute a novel therapeutic approach along with potent anti-inflammatory effect and with less immunosuppressive effect on host defenses.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the effect of the extracts from Vaccinium oldhamii on cell proliferation and the regulatory mechanisms of cyclin D1 protein level in human cancer cells. The branch extracts from Vaccinium oldhamii (VOB) showed higher inhibitor effect against the cell growth than leave extracts (VOL) and fruit extracts (VOF) in human colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, non-small lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer cells. In addition, VOB decreased cyclin D1 level at both protein and mRNA level. MG132 treatment attenuated VOB-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation. A point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated cyclin D1 degradation by VOB. In addition, the inhibition of nuclear export by leptomycin B (LMB) attenuated cyclin D1 degradation by VOB. But, the treatment of PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), LiCl ($GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) or BAY 11-7082 ($I{\kappa}K$ inhibitor) did not affect VOB-induced cyclin D1 degradation. In conclusion, VOB induced cyclin D1 degradation through redistribution of cyclin D1 from the nucleus to cytoplasm via T286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1, which resulted in the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.2007-2016
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• 2005

An artificial neural network (ANN) is successfully presented for prediction acidity constant (pKa) of various benzoic acids and phenols with diverse chemical structures using a nonlinear quantitative structure-property relationship. A three-layered feed forward ANN with back-propagation of error was generated using six molecular descriptors appearing in the multi-parameter linear regression (MLR) model. The polarizability term $(\pi_1)$, most positive charge of acidic hydrogen atom $(q^+)$, molecular weight (MW), most negative charge of the acidic oxygen atom $(q^-)$, the hydrogen-bond accepting ability $(\epsilon_B)$ and partial charge weighted topological electronic (PCWTE) descriptors are inputs and its output is pKa. It was found that properly selected and trained neural network with 205 compounds could fairly represent dependence of the acidity constant on molecular descriptors. For evaluation of the predictive power of the generated ANN, an optimized network was applied for prediction pKa values of 37 compounds in the prediction set, which were not used in the optimization procedure. Squared correlation coefficient $(R^2)$ and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.9147 and 0.9388 for prediction set by the MLR model should be compared with the values of 0.9939 and 0.2575 by the ANN model. These improvements are due to the fact that acidity constant of benzoic acids and phenols in water shows nonlinear correlations with the molecular descriptors.