• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2020

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) has been suggested to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects due to its high polyphenol content. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of black chokeberry on the alterations of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in macrophages have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of polyphenol-rich black chokeberry extract (CBE) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. CBE significantly attenuated the increase of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the nuclear translocation of NRF-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. The mRNA abundances of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes were significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophages. The LPS-induced mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines was significantly inhibited by reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by CBE. These data suggest that black chokeberry may be used for the prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation-associated disease.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2013

There are limited data on healthy dietary patterns protective against metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) development. We identified dietary patterns among middle-aged and older adults and investigated the associations with the incidence of MetSyn. A population-based prospective cohort study included 5,251 male and female Koreans aged 40-69 years. At baseline, all individuals were free of MetSyn, other major metabolic diseases, and known cardiovascular disease or cancer. Cases of MetSyn were ascertained over a 6-year of follow-up. Dietary patterns and their factor scores were generated by factor analysis using the data of a food frequency questionnaire. We performed pooled logistic regression analysis to estimate multivariable-adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for associations between factor scores and MetSyn risk. Two dietary patterns were identified; (1) a healthy dietary pattern, which included a variety of foods such as fish, seafood, vegetables, seaweed, protein foods, fruits, dairy products, and grains; and (2) an unhealthy dietary pattern, which included a limited number of food items. After controlling for confounding factors, factor scores for the healthy dietary pattern were inversely associated with MetSyn risk (P-value for trend < 0.05) while those for the unhealthy dietary pattern had no association. Individuals in the top quintile of the healthy diet scores showed a multivariable-adjusted RR [95% CI] of 0.76 [0.60-0.97] for MetSyn risk compared with those in the bottom quintile. The beneficial effects were derived from inverse associations with abdominal obesity, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and high fasting glucose levels. Our findings suggest that a variety of healthy food choices is recommended to prevent MetSyn.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2009

Three novel Class A genes that encode heat shock transcription factor (HSF) were cloned from Oryza Sativa L using a yeast hybrid method. The OsHSF7 gene was found to be rapidly expressed in high levels in response to temperature, which indicates that it may be involved in heat stress reception and response. Over-expression of OsHSF7 in transgenic Arabidopsis could not induced over the expression of most target heat stress-inducible genes of HSFs; however, the transcription of some HSF target genes was more abundant in transgenic plants following two hours of heat stress treatment. In addition, those transgenic plants also had a higher basal thermotolerance, but not acquired thermotolerance. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that OsHSF7 might play an important role in the response to high temperature. Specifically, these findings indicate that OsHSF7 may be useful in the production of transgenic monocots that can over-express protective genes such as HSPs in response to heat stress, which will enable such plants to tolerate high temperatures.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.427-433
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• 2017

Previously, we demonstrated that galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) protects human keratinocytes against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated the effect of galangin on induction of antioxidant enzymes involved in synthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), and investigated the associated upstream signaling cascades. By activating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), galangin treatment significantly increased expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS). This activation of Nrf2 depended on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling. Inhibition of GSH in galangin-treated cells attenuated the protective effect of galangin against the deleterious effects of UVB. Our results reveal that galangin protects human keratinocytes by activating ERK/AKT-Nrf2, leading to elevated expression of GSH-synthesizing enzymes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2017

Dexmedetomidine is an ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic receptor agonist that exhibits a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart, kidney, and other organs. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective action and potential mechanisms of dexmedetomidine against ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury. Transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion. After the ischemic insult, animals then received intravenous dexmedetomidine of $1{\mu}g/kg$ load dose, followed by $0.05{\mu}g/kg/min$ infusion for 2 h. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological function, brain edema, and the morphology of the hippocampal CA1 region were evaluated. The levels and mRNA expressions of interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6 and tumor nevrosis factor-${\alpha}$ as well as the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-${\kappa}Bp65$, inhibitor of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and phosphorylated of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in hippocampus were assessed. We found that dexmedetomidine reduced focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the expression and release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Inhibition of the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathway may be a mechanism underlying the neuroprotective action of dexmedetomidine against focal cerebral I/R injury.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1649-1654
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• 2016

Tea derived from the leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis (Theaceae) is consumed worldwide. Green tea contains various components with specific health-promoting effects, and is believed to exert protective effects against diseases including cancer, diabetes and hepatitis, as well as obesity. Of the various tea components, the polyphenol catechins have been the subject of extensive investigation and among the catechins, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate has the strongest bioactivity in most cases. Our research group has postulated that hepatocyte nuclear factor-$4{\alpha}$, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ are targets of green tea constituents including (-)-epigallocatechin gallate for their anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, and anti-hepatitis effects, respectively. Published papers were reviewed to determine whether the observed changes in these factors can be correlated with anti-cancer effects of green tea. Two major action mechanisms of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate have been proposed; one associated with its anti-oxidative properties and the other with its pro-oxidative activity. When reactive oxygen species are assumed to be involved, our findings that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate downregulated hepatocyte nuclear factor-$4{\alpha}$, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ may explain the anti-cancer effect of green tea as well. However, further studies are required to elucidate which determinant directs (-)-epigallocatechin gallate action as an anti-oxidant or a pro-oxidant for favorable activity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.321-330
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the reliability and validity of the Korean self-compassion scale using data from 312 correctional workers. To validate the self-compassion scale using the collected data, correlational analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were applied. To explore relationships between the self-compassion scale and related instruments, five instruments were used (the Korean occupational stress scale, the center for epidemiological studies depression scale, the Maslach burnout inventory scale, perceived stress scale, and the satisfaction with life scale). The results showed that the collected data better fit the 6-factor model than the 3-factor and 2-factor models. There were statistically significant relationships between the self-compassion scale and five other scales. These results suggest that the self-compassion scale is a good instrument to examine risk factors that can remain during continuous stress situations and to explore protective factors that can maintain the therapeutic relationship. The implications of this study and future research directions were also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.21-28
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• 2023

In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to present the properties of rapid hardening composite mat, and a numerical analysis was carried out to analyze the slope protection effect of the mats based on ground conditions, rainfall, slope gradient and soil height. As a result, the application of rapid hardening composite mat increased the slope safety factor in all conditions, and the increase rate of safety factor showed an average of 40% increase both in dry and rainy seasons. Through these research findings, the protective effect of the rapid hardening composite mat on sloping surfaces has been proven, and it is suggested that the rapid hardening composite mat is suitable for application in areas where slope failure or collapse is expected.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuronal cell death and memory impairment. Corticosterone (CORT) is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to a stressful condition. Excessive stress and high CORT levels are known to cause neurotoxicity and aggravate various diseases, whereas mild stress and low CORT levels exert beneficial actions under pathophysiological conditions. However, the effects of mild stress on AD have not been clearly elucidated yet. In this study, the effects of low (3 and 30 nM) CORT concentration on Aβ_25-35-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and underlying molecular mechanisms have been investigated. Cytotoxicity caused by Aβ_25-35 was significantly inhibited by the low concentration of CORT treatment in the cells. Furthermore, CORT pretreatment significantly reduced Aβ_25-35-mediated pro-apoptotic signals, such as increased Bim/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 cleavage. Moreover, low concentration of CORT treatment inhibited the Aβ_25-35-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. Aβ_25-35 resulted in intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, which were effectively reduced by the low CORT concentration. As a molecular mechanism, low CORT concentration activated the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2, a redox-sensitive transcription factor mediating cellular defense and upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, glutamylcysteine synthetase, and manganese superoxide dismutase. These findings suggest that low CORT concentration exerts protective actions against Aβ_25-35-induced neurotoxicity and might be used to treat and/or prevent AD.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 1985

It was well known that B. pertussis cells possess protective antigen, histamine sensitizing factor, heatstable and labile toxin, hemagglutinin, agglutinogen and the others. Previous reports involving above antigenic properties of B. pertussis have been carried out for several years. However, leucocyte promoting property was not yet investigated. In this report, the results of studies on the leucocytosis, particulary the lymphocytosis, produced in mice by injecting pertussis vaccine were presented. Especially leucocyte promoting property and histamine sensitizing property of B. pertussis vaccine treated at various temperatures were compared. The relationship between the leucocyte promoting property and histamine sensitizing property was investigated. Results were as follows. 1. Although leucocytosis was significantly rised in both 0.5ml injection and 0.1ml injection of pertussis vaccine than in control, at the higher dose (0.5ml injection) an elevation in white cell count was more significant. The leucocyte responce to pertussis vaccine was greater following 0.5 ml injection than following 0.1ml injection. 2. Lymphocytosis was significantly rised in both 0.5ml injection and 0.1ml injection of pertussis vaccine than in control. At higher dose (0.5ml injection), an elevation in lymphocyte count was more significant. 3. Order of elevation in differential leucocyte counts was lymphocyte, polymorphonuclear leucocyte and monocyte. 4. The leucocyte response to pertussis vaccine was 2 fold greater following intravenous injection than following subcutaneous injection. 5. Decrease leucocyte promoting activity and histamine sensitizing activity resulted from exposure to temperature above $56^{\circ}C$. Histamine sensitizing activity of pertussis vaccine treated at various temperatures paralleled leucocyte promoting activity.