• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.729-735
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• 2010

In our previous study, it was reported that an herbal mixture, SH21B, inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo models of obesity. SH21B is a mixture composed of seven herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Prunus armeniaca Maxim, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Acorus gramineus Soland, Typha orientalis Presl, Polygala tenuifolia Willd, and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner (Ratio 3:3:3:3:3:2:2). The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms of the effects of SH21B on various regulators of the adipogenesis pathway. During the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, SH21B significantly decreased the expression levels of central transcription factors of adipogenesis, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)$\gamma$ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)$\alpha$. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effects of SH21B, we examined the expression levels of the various pro-adipogenic or anti-adipogenic regulators of adipogenesis upstream of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$. The mRNA levels of Krox20 and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 15, which are pro-adipogenic regulators, were significantly down-regulated by SH21B treatment, whereas the mRNA levels of C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and KLF5 were not changed. KLF2 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which are anti-adipogenic regulators, were significantly up-regulated by SH21B treatment. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effect of SH21B involves both the down-regulations of pro-adipogenic regulators, such as Krox20 and KLF15, and the up-regulations of anti-adipogenic regulators, such as KLF2 and CHOP, which results in the suppression of central transcription factors of adipogenesis including $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1437-1444
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• 2017

Sargassum macrocarpum is a widely distributed marine brown algae found in the North Pacific. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract of S. macrocarpum (EESM). First, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of EESM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. EESM treatment suppressed nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production and inhibited the expressions of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$), was decreased in a dose dependent manner. Investigation of the signaling pathways of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) revealed suppression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ translocation from the cytosol to nucleus by EESM treatment. The phosphorylation of the Akt and ERK proteins was also inhibited by EESM treatment. EESM treatment also stimulated the expression of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). These results suggest that EESM has anti-inflammatory activity and could have potential uses in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 1996

This experiment was conducted at National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station in 1995 to identify effects of early flooding in dry seeded rice on rice growth and weed occurrence. The early flooding of emergence date and the 2-leaf stage were not differed significantly on seedling stand, seedling growth of rice and plant characteristics associated with lodging compared to flooding of the 4-leaf stage. However, weed occurrence resulted in 39-61% suppression. Most predominant weed regardless of flooding times was Echinochloa crus-galli, followed by Aneilema japonicum. The Aneilema japonicum, in general, was higher occurrence with earlier flooding, while dry land weeds such as Digitaria sanguinalis, Stellaria alsine etc. reduced. Grain yield of early flooding at emergence date and the 2-leaf stage was higher by 2-5% than that of the 4-leaf stage due to better grain filling ratio and heavier 1,000 grain weight.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.261-268
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• 2018

To prepare mesoporous $TiO_2$ ($meso-TiO_2$) with anatase and rutile crystal structures, hydrothermal and template synthesis were used. $Meso-TiO_2$ with anatase structure was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. The crystal structure of $meso-TiO_2$ by hydrothermal synthesis converted from anatase to rutile by simple heating at $600^{\circ}C$ and above. However, their mesopore structure collapsed due to phase transition. To prepare $meso-TiO_2$ with rutile structure, template synthesis method was applied using mesoporous silica KIT-6 as a template. Once we incorporated anatase $TiO_2$ inside mesopores of silica, the phase transition temperature of $TiO_2$ confined inside KIT-6 was much higher ($900^{\circ}C$) than that of free-standing $TiO_2$ ($600^{\circ}C$). The suppression of $TiO_2$ phase transition inside mesopores of KIT-6 is closely related with the interaction between $TiO_2$ surface and silica walls in KIT-6 because oxygen vacancy in $TiO_2$ is regarded as the starting point for phase transition. After removal of silica template by NaOH solution washing, $meso-TiO_2$ with mixed phase between anatase and rutile was obtained.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2006

Two hundred bacterial strains were isolated from the soil around healthy tomato plants in a polyvinyl house, where most of the other plants showed bacterial wilt symptoms. The strains were screened in vitro for their antibacterial activity. Among them, a strain, KPB3 showed strong bactericidal activity against bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum. The strain KPB3 was identified using physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA analyses. Based on these tests, the strain was found to be closer to genus Paenibacillus. To control the bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Paenibacillus strain KPB3. Drench application of this strain ($4{\times}10^8$ CFU $mL^{-1}$) into the pots containing tomato plants, post-inoculated with the pathogen, R. solanacearum could drastically reduce the disease severity, compared to the non-treated plants. To evaluate effectiveness of this strain under field conditions, experiments were carried out in polyvinyl houses infested with R. solanacearum, during spring and autumn of the year 2006. It was observed that, during spring, bacterial wilt was more prevalent compared to the autumn. During spring, 50.9% disease incidences occurred in non-treated controls, while, Paenibacillus strain KPB3 treated plants showed 24.6% disease incidences. Similarly, during autumn, around 17.2% plants were infected with bacterial wilt in non- treated polyvinyl houses, compared to the Paenibacillus strain KPB3 treated plants, which showed 7.0% disease incidences. These results demonstrated that, Paenibacillus strain KPB3 is a potential biological control agent against bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum, effective under greenhouse as well as field conditions. This is the first report showing biocontrol of R. solanacearum using a Paenibacillus spp. under field conditions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.192-205
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• 2009

The unexpected wind over the Mt. Hwawang on 9 February 2009 was deadly when many spectators were watching a traditional event to burn dried grasses and the fire went out of control due to the wind. We analyzed the fatal wind based on wind flow simulations over a digitized complex terrain of the mountain with a localized heating area using a three dimensional computational fluid dynamics model, CFD_NIMR_SNU (Computational Fluid Dynamics_National Institute of Meteorological Research_Seoul National University). Three levels of fire intensity were simulated: no fire, $300^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ of surface temperature at the site on fire. The surface heat accelerated vertical wind speed by as much as $0.7\;m\;s^{-1}$ (for $300^{\circ}C$) and $1.1\;m\;s^{-1}$ (for $600^{\circ}C$) at the center of the fire. Turbulent kinetic energy was increased by the heat itself and by the increased mechanical force, which in turn was generated by the thermal convection. The heating together with the complex terrain and strong boundary wind induced the unexpected high wind conditions with turbulence at the mountain. The CFD_NIMR_SNU model provided valuable analysis data to understand the consequences of the fatal mountain fire. It is suggested that the place of fire was calm at the time of the fire setting due to the elevated terrain of the windward side. The suppression of wind was easily reversed when there was fire, which caused updraft of hot air by the fire and the strong boundary wind. The strong boundary wind in conjunction with the fire event caused the strong turbulence, resulting in many fire casualties. The model can be utilized in turbulence forecasting over a small area due to surface fire in conjunction with a mesoscale weather model to help fire prevention at the field.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.491-498
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• 2015

We investigated the effect of constant rate infusion (CRI) with doxapram on cardiopulmonary function during total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with remifentanil and propofol CRI in dogs. Fifteen male Beagle dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups. All groups were premedicated with medetomidine ($20{\mu}g/kg$, IV) and anesthetized by remifentanil/propofol CRI for one and half hour. At the initiating of the anesthesia, different doses of doxapram for each group were administrated as the followings; D1 group - doxapram 0.25 mg/kg bolus followed by doxapram $8.33{\mu}g/kg/min$, D2 group - doxapram 2 mg/kg bolus followed by doxapram $66.66{\mu}g/kg/min$, control group - normal saline. The anesthetic depth for surgery was well maintained in all groups throughout the anesthetic periods. The respiratory rate was significantly higher in D2 group than that of control group (p < 0.05). The values of $PaO_2$ and $SaO_2$ were significantly increased in both D1 and D2 groups compared with control group (p < 0.05). High dose of doxapram (D2 group) significantly decreased the level of $PaCO_2$ compared with control group (p < 0.05). The values of systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressure were significantly increased in doxapram 2 group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the values of heart rate and pH of arterial blood. Therefore, doxapram CRI may be useful to alleviate the suppression of cardiopulmonary function including hypoxia and hypotension during TIVA with remifentanil and propofol in dogs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.279-285
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• 2011

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the skin whitening effect of the extracts of 3 herbs, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which were collected from Ullung island. Tyrosinase inhibition activities were 33% in pre-fermented extracts and 45% in post-fermented ones. When tyrosinase activities in B16F10 murine melanoma cells were tested, activities in pre- and post-fermented extracts were 41 and 56.5%, respectively. Thus, the post-fermented extracts might have greater skin whitening effects. The protein expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase, which are all skin-whitening related transcription factors, showed that both pre- and post-fermented herbs inhibited protein biosynthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. Post-fermented herb extracts especially showed a greater decrease of protein expressions. The expression of MITF, a regulatory transcription factor, was also decreased by both extracts but was greater in the post-fermented ones. From the results, it can be concluded that the 3 herb extracts from Ullung island may inhibit melanin biosynthesis by the suppression of MITF activity in a signaling pathway. Results indicate that the post-fermented herbs tested in the present study had skin whitening activities and can be used as functional ingredients for food and cosmetic compositions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.530-536
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• 2008

To investigate the molecular mechanism of the airway inflammation by Pseudomonas fluorescens, effects on the inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), macophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1) were assessed in the human alveolar epithelial cells. Exposure to P. fluorescens and its recombinant bacteria suppressed cellular viability in the A549 epithelial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 production. However, pro-inflammatory prostaglandin-producing COX-2 protein was not altered by P. fluorescens though its mRNA was slightly elevated. As the inhibitory cytokine for the pro-inflammatory mediators, MIC-1 expression was monitored in A549 cells. MIC-1 gene induction was not significantly enhanced but the protein processing was changed by exposure to P. fluorescens. Pro-protein form of MIC-1 (${\sim}40\;kD$) was cleaved into active form mature MIC-1 (${\sim}15\;kD$) and propeptide (${\sim}28\;kD$) by the bacteria exposure. MIC-1 activation can contribute to the suppression of cellular viability by P. fluorescens and can retard IL-8-induced monocyte recruitment. However, sustained activation of MIC-1 can mediate the tissue injury by P. fluorescens exposure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1351-1359
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• 2013

The anti-proliferative activity of ${\beta}$-ionone was investigated on human non-small lung cancer A-549 cells (designated A-549 cells). A-549 cells were treated with various concentrations of ${\beta}$-ionone (1, 5, 10, and 15 ${\mu}M$) for two, four, and six days. Biochemical markers related to the growth inhibition of A-549 cells by ${\beta}$-ionone were measured at the second day of incubation. ${\beta}$-Ionone inhibited the growth of A-549 cells by dose-and time-dependent manners, resulting in an $IC_{50}$ of 5.0 ${\mu}g/ml$ at the second day of incubation. ${\beta}$-Ionone induced apoptosis by a dose-dependent manner. ${\beta}$-Ionone increased levels of p53, p21, and Bax proteins, but suppressed expression of the Bcl-2 protein. Similarly, ${\beta}$-ionone enhanced cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol, and induced activation of caspase-9 and -3. Additionally, ${\beta}$-ion-one reduced $cPLA_2$ and COX-2 protein levels. These results suggest that the ${\beta}$-ionone inhibits the proliferation of A-549 cells through reciprocal regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression and suppression of $cPLA_2$ and COX-2 protein expressions.