• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2024

Background: Recently, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) have been isolated, and active research was focusing on understanding their properties and functions. In this study, the characteristics and molecular properties of ginseng root-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GrDENs) were examined in terms of skin protection. Methods: HPLC-MS protocols were used to analyze the ginsenoside contents in GrDENs. To investigate the beneficial effect of GrDENs on skin, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with GrDENs (0-2 × 10⁹ particles/mL), and followed by UVB irradiation or H₂O₂ exposure. In addition, the antioxidant activity of GrDENs was measured using a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometry. Finally, molecular mechanisms were examined with immunoblotting analysis. Results: GrDENs contained detectable levels of ginsenosides (Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rf, Rg2 (S), Gyp17, Rd, C-Mc1, C-O, and F2). In UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, GrDENs protected cells from death and reduced ROS production. GrDENs downregulated the mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes, including BAX, caspase-1, -3, -6, -7, and -8 and the ratio of cleaved caspase-8, -9, and -3 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GrDENs reduced the mRNA levels of aging-related genes (MMP2 and 3), proinflammatory genes (COX-2 and IL-6), and cellular senescence biomarker p21, possibly by suppressing activator protein-1 signaling. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effects of GrDENs against skin damage caused by UV and oxidative stress, providing new insights into beneficial uses of ginseng. In particular, our results suggest GrDENs as a potential active ingredient in cosmeceuticals to promote skin health.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.67-78
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• 2024

The introduction of a significant amount of phosphorous into aquatic environments can lead to eutrophication, which can in turn result in algal blooms. For the effective management of watersheds and the prevention of water quality problems related to nonpoint organic matter (OM) sources, it is essential to pinpoint the predominant OM sources. Several potential OM sources were sampled from upper agricultural watersheds, such as fallen leaves, riparian reeds, riparian plants, paddy soil, field soil, riparian soil, cow manure, and swine manure. Stream samples were collected during two storm events, and the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphorous (DOP) from these OM sources and stream samples were assessed. DOM indicators using fluorescence spectroscopy, including HIX, FI, BIX, and EEM-PARAFAC, were evaluated in terms of their relevance in discerning DOM sources during storm events. Representative DOM descriptors were chosen based on specific criteria, such as value ranges and pronounced differences between low and high-flow periods. Consequently, the spectral slope ratio (S_R) paired with fluorescence index (FI) using end-member mixing analysis (EMMA) proved to be suitable for estimating the contribution of organic carbon (OC). The contribution of each organic phosphorous (OP) in stream samples was determined using the phosphorous-to-carbon (P/C) ratio in conjunction with the OC contribution. Notably, OP derived from swine manure in stream samples was found to make the most dominant contribution, ranging from 61.3% to 94.2% (average 78.1% ± 12.7%). The results of this research offer valuable insights into the selection of suitable indicators to recognize various OM sources and highlight the main sources of OP in forested-agricultural watersheds.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.13.1-13.12
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• 2023

Background: Indoor air pollution can cause and exacerbate asthma. We report a previously undescribed case of occupational asthma related to indoor air pollution in a worker at an indoor air gun shooting range and highlight the potential risk of developing occupational asthma in this environment. Case presentation: A 31-year-old man presented with dyspnea, cough, and sputum and was diagnosed with asthma complicated by pneumonia. Objective evidence of asthma was obtained by performing a methacholine bronchial provocation test. It was suspected that the patient had occupational asthma, which began one month after changing jobs to work within the indoor air gun shooting range. The highest peak expiratory flow (PEF) diurnal variability on working days was 15%, but the highest variation was 24%, with 4 days out of 4 weeks having a variation of over 20% related to workplace exposure. Conversely, the diurnal variability on the rest days was 7%, and no day showed a variation exceeding 20%. The difference in the average PEF between working and rest days was 52 L/min. PEF deterioration during working days and improvement on rest days were noted. Conclusions: The results obtained from the in-depth analysis of the PEF were adequate to diagnose the patient with occupational asthma. Exposure to indoor air pollution and lead and the patient's atopy and allergic rhinitis may have contributed to the development of occupational asthma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제67권3호
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• pp.364-375
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• 2024

Objective : Kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1), a non-essential kinesin-like motor protein, has been found to serve a crucial role in supernumerary centrosome clustering and the progression of several human cancer types. However, the role of KIFC1 in glioma has been rarely reported. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the role of KIFC1 in glioma progression. Methods : Online bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine the association between KIFC1 expression and clinical outcomes in glioma. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to analyze the expression levels of KIFC1 in glioma and normal brain tissues. Furthermore, KIFC1 expression was knocked in the glioma cell lines, U251 and U87MG, and the functional roles of KIFC1 in cell proliferation, invasion and migration were analyzed using cell multiplication, wound healing and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The autophagic flux and expression levels matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) were also determined using imaging flow cytometry, western blotting and a gelation zymography assay. Results : The results revealed that KIFC1 expression levels were significantly upregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues, and the expression levels were positively associated with tumor grade. Patients with glioma with low KIFC1 expression levels had a more favorable prognosis compared with patients with high KIFC1 expression levels. In vitro, KIFC1 knockdown not only inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells, but also increased the autophagic flux and downregulated the expression levels of MMP2. Conclusion : Upregulation of KIFC1 expression may promote glioma progression and KIFC1 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and possible therapeutic target for glioma.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.960-972
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• 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in cancer physiology as important epigenetic regulators of gene expression. Several miRNAs have been previously discovered that regulate the proliferation of the colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT116. In the present study, one of these miRNAs, miR-5191, was characterized as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells. Transfection with miR-5191 led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation, invasiveness, tumor sphere-forming ability and tumor organoid growth, as determined via trypan blue, Transwell, sphere culture and organoid culture assays, respectively. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that miR-5191 induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of CRC cells. Additionally, the expression of miR-5191 was downregulated in CRC tumor tissues compared with in normal tissues, as measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Ribosomal protein S6 kinase β1 (RPS6KB1) was identified as a direct target of miR-5191. Ectopic expression of RPS6KB1 suppressed the function of miR-5191. Intratumoral injection of miR-5191 mimic suppressed tumor growth in HCT116 xenografts. These findings suggested a novel tumor-suppressive function for miR-5191 in CRC, and its potential applicability for the development of anticancer miRNA therapeutics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권9호
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• pp.1898-1911
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• 2024

Phylloporia lonicerae is an annual fungus that specifically parasitizes living Lonicera plants, offering significant potential for developing new resource food and medicine. However, wild resources and mycelium production of this fungus is limited, and its anti-tumor active ingredients and mechanisms remain unclear, hampering the development of this fungus. Thus, we optimized the fermentation medium of P. lonicerae and studied the anti-tumor activity of its mycelium. The results indicated that the optimum fermentation medium consisted of 2% sucrose, 0.2% peptone, 0.1% KH₂PO₄, 0.05% MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.16% Lonicera japonica petals, 0.18% P fungal elicitor, and 0.21% L. japonica stem. The biomass reached 7.82 ± 0.41 g/l after 15 days of cultivation in the optimized medium, a 142% increase compared with the potato dextrose broth medium, with a 64% reduction in cultivation time. The intracellular alcohol extract had a higher inhibitory effect on A549 and Eca-109 cells than the intracellular water extract, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 2.42 and 2.92 mg/ml, respectively. Graded extraction of the alcohol extract yielded petroleum ether phase, chloroform phase, ethyl acetate phase, and n-butanol phase. Among them, the petroleum ether phase exhibited a better effect than the positive control, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 113.3 ㎍/ml. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that petroleum ether components could induce apoptosis of Eca-109 cells, suggesting that this extracted component can be utilized as an anticancer agent in functional foods. This study offers valuable technical support and a theoretical foundation for promoting the comprehensive development and efficient utilization of P. lonicerae.

• 대한조선학회논문집
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.42-57
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• 1995

자유표면의 유동문제는 저항추진성능과 내항성능이 우수한 선박과 파랑중 작업성능이 우수한 해양구조물의 설계와 관련되어 조선해양공학분야에서 지속적으로 관심의 대상이 되어온 연구분야이다. 본 논문에서는 선체주위 유동을 정확하고 효율적으로 해석하기 위한 3차원 수치해법의 개발을 목적으로 하였다. 수치해법으로 경계요소법을 사용하였으며, 그린함수는 간단한 랜킨소오스를 사용하였다. 전 경계요소면은 8점 경계요소로 표시하여 기하학적 특성을 정밀하게 반영하고자 하였다. 자유표면에서 속도포텐셜의 변화를 정규화된 8점 경계요소에서 이중 2차 스플라인함수(bi-quadratic spline function)로 표시함으로써 자유표면에서의 수치감쇠 및 분산오차를 개선하였다. 한편 물체표면에서의 물리량은 8점 경계요소의 특성을 살려 이중 2차 다항식(bi-quadratic function)으로 근사하였다. 이와같이 계산영역에 따라 해의 특성에 부합하는 수치방법을 채택함으로써 수치해의 정확성과 효율성이 향상되도록 하였다. 개발한 수치해법의 효능을 검증하기 위해 계산예로서 정상유동 및 비정상유동의 경우 Neumann-Kelvin문제를 다루었다. 본 방법에 의한 몰수 타원체 및 Series 60선에 대한 조파저항 계산결과는 적은 파넬수를 사용하고도 기존의 계산치는 물론 실험치와 좋은 일치를 보였다. 변형된 Wigley선형에 대한 동유체력 계산결과도 기존의 실험치 및 계산치와 비교적 잘 일치하였다. 비정상 유동의 경우 랜킨소오스법에서 일반적으로 적용하는 상류방사조건은 무차원주파수가 1/4보다 큰 경우에만 유효하므로, 본 논문에서는 파동방정식 연산자를 이용하여 무차원주파수가 1/4보다 작은 경우에 적용할 수 있는 상류방사조건을 유도하였다. 수면하에서 전진하며 동요하는 소오스에 대하여 적용한 결과 본 논문에서 유도한 방사조건이 유효함을 입증하였다.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.21-34
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• 2011

We determined potential meso-scale benthic-pelagic ecosystem coupling in the north equatorial Pacific by comparing surface chl-a concentration with sediment bacterial abundance and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration (indication of active biomass). Water and sediment samples were latitudinally collected between 5 and $11^{\circ}N$ along $131.5^{\circ}W$. Physical water properties of this area are characterized with three major currents: North Equatorial Current (NEC), North Equatorial Count Current (NECC), and South Equatorial Current (SEC). The divergence and convergence of the surface water occur at the boundaries where these currents anti-flow. This low latitude area ($5{\sim}7^{\circ}N$) appears to show high pelagic productivity (mean phytoplankton biomass=$1266.0\;mgC\;m^{-2}$) due to the supplement of high nutrients from nutrient-enriched deep-water via vertical mixing. But the high latitude area ($9{\sim}11^{\circ}N$) with the strong stratification exhibits low surface productivity (mean phytoplankton biomass=$603.1\;mgC\;m^{-2}$). Bacterial cell number (BCN) and ATP appeared to be the highest at the superficial layer and reduced with depth of sediment. Latitudinally, sediment BCN from low latitude ($5{\sim}7^{\circ}N$) was $9.8{\times}10^8\;cells\;cm^{-2}$, which appeared to be 3-times higher than that from high latitude ($9{\sim}11^{\circ}N$; $2.9{\times}10^8\;cells\;cm^{-2}$). Furthermore, sedimentary ATP at the low latitude ($56.2\;ng\;cm^{-2}$) appeared to be much higher than that of the high latitude ($3.3\;ng\;cm^{-2}$). According to regression analysis of these data, more than 85% of the spatial variation of benthic microbial biomass was significantly explained by the phytoplankton biomass in surface water. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that benthic productivity in this area is strongly coupled with pelagic productivity.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.11-22
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• 2013

Objectives: The present investigation aimed at examining if post-cancer treatment with a potentized homeopathic drug, Condurango 30C, which is generally used to treat oesophageal cancer, could also show an ameliorating effect through apoptosis induction on lung cancer induced by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Methods: Lung cancer was induced after four months by chronic feeding of BaP to rats through gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for one month. After four months, the lung-cancer-bearing rats were treated with Condurango 30C for the next one ($5^{th}$), two ($5^{th}-6^{th}$) and three ($5^{th}-7^{th}$) months, respectively, and were sacrificed at the corresponding time-points. The ameliorating effect, if any, after Condurango 30C treatment for the various periods was evaluated by using protocols such as histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), annexinV-FITC/PI assay, flow cytometry of the apoptosis marker, DNA fragmentation, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and western blot analyses of lung tissue samples. Results: Striking recovery of lung tissue to a near normal status was noticed after post-cancerous drug treatment, as evidenced by SEM and histology, especially after one and two months of drug treatment. Data from the annexinV-FITC/PI and DNA fragmentation assays revealed that Condurango 30C could induce apoptosis in cancer cells after post-cancer treatment. A critical analysis of signalling cascade, evidenced through a RT-PCR study, demonstrated up-regulation and down-regulation of different pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, respectively, related to a caspase-3-mediated apoptotic pathway, which was especially discernible after one-month and two-month drug treatments. Correspondingly, Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the ameliorative potential of Condurango 30C by its ability to down-regulate the elevated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, a hallmark of lung cancer. Conclusion: The overall result validated a positive effect of Condurango 30C in ameliorating lung cancer through caspase-3-mediated apoptosis induction and EGFR down-regulation.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

Objectives: This study examined the relative efficacies of a derivative of betulinic acid (dBA) and its poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nano-encapsulated form in A549 lung cancer cells in vivo and in co-mutagen [sodium arsenite (SA) + benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)]-induced lung cancer in mice in vivo. Methods: dBA was loaded with PLGA nanoparticles by using the standard solvent displacement method. The sizes and morphologies of nano-dBA (NdBA) were determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their intracellular localization was verified by using confocal microscopy. The binding and interaction of NdBA with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA) as a target were analyzed by using conventional circular dichroism (CD) and melting temperature (Tm) profile data. Apoptotic signalling cascades in vitro and in vivo were studied by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the ability of NdBA to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was also examined. The stage of cell cycle arrest was confirmed by using a fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) data analysis. Results: The average size of the nanoparticles was ~ 110 nm. Confocal microscopy images confirmed the presence of NdBA in the cellular cytoplasm. The bio-physical properties of dBA and NdBA ascertained from the CD and the Tm profiles revealed that NdBA had greater interaction with the target DNA than dBA did. Both dBA and NdBA arrested cell proliferation at G0/G1, NdBA showing the greater effect. NdBA also induced a greater degree of cytotoxicity in A549 cells, but it had an insignificant cytotoxic effect in normal L6 cells. The results of flow cytometric, cytogenetial and histopathological studies in mice revealed that NdBA caused less nuclear condensation and DNA damage than dBA did. TEM images showed the presence of NdBA in brain samples of NdBA fed mice, indicating its ability to cross the BBB. Conclusion: Thus, compared to dBA, NdBA appears to have greater chemoprotective potential against lung cancer.