• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.274-283
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• 2014

Oxidative stress causes tissue damage and facilitates the progression of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular heart diseases, and obesity. Lipid accumulation and obesity-related complications have been observed in the presence of extensive oxidative stress. As part of an ongoing study to develop therapeutic supplements, Sargassum sp. were tested for their ability to scavenge free radicals and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as to suppress lipid accumulation. Three species, S. hemiphyllum, S. thunbergii, and Sargassum horneri, were shown to scavenge free radicals in a di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) assay. In addition, Sargassum sp. was shown to scavenge intracellular ROS and to decrease nitric oxide (NO) production in $H_2O_2$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages, respectively. Taken together, the results suggest that Sargassum sp. possess huge potential to relieve oxidative stress and related complications, as well as lipid-induced oxidation. They indicate that S. hemiphyllum, S. thunbergii, and S. horneri are potent functional supplements that can produce beneficial health effects through antioxidant and antiobesity activities, with S. hemiphyllum being the most potent among the Sargassum sp. tested. A potential mechanism for the effect of Sargassum sp. on the suppression of lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes through deactivation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) is presented.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.710-720
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• 2013

Radiotherapy is commonly used in treating many kinds of cancers which cannot be cured by other therapeutic strategies. However, radiotherapy also induces the damages on the normal tissues. Radiation-induced fibrosis is frequently observed in the patients undergoing radiotherapy, and becomes a major obstacle in the treatment of intrahepatic cancer. Hedgehog (Hh) that is an essential in the liver formation during embryogenesis is not detected in the healthy liver, but activated and modulates the repair process in damaged livers in adult. The expression of Hh increases with the degree of liver damage, regulating the proliferation of hepatic progenitors and hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In addition, Hh induces epithelial-to-mesencymal transition (EMT) and activation of myofibroblasts. In the irradiated livers, up-regulated expression of Hh signaling was associated with proliferation of progenitors, EMT induction, and increased fibrosis. Female-specific expression of Hh leaded to the expansion of progenitors and the accumulation of collagen in the irradiated livers of female mice, indicating that gender disparity in Hh expression may be related with radiation-susceptibility in female. Hence, Hh signaling becomes a novel object of studies for fibrogenesis induced by radiation. However, the absence of the established experimental animal models showing the similar physiopathology with human liver diseases and fibrosis-favorable microenvironment hamper the studies for the radiation-induced fibrosis, providing a few descriptive results. Therefore, further research on the association of Hh with radiation-induced fibrosis can identify the cell and tissue-specific effects of Hh and provides the basic knowledge for underlying mechanisms, contributing to developing therapies for preventing the radiation-induced fibrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1105-1112
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic adjustment of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) isozymes to the environmental temperature in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). This study included three groups of bluegill collected in April (group Ⅰ), May (group Ⅱ), and September (group Ⅲ). The LDH activities of skeletal muscle, heart, and brain tissues were higher in group Ⅲ than in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ. The citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7, CS) activity was higher in skeletal muscle but lower in heart and brain tissues of group Ⅱ as compared to group Ⅰ. In contrast, the CS activity was lower in skeletal muscle and higher in heart and brain tissues in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅱ. Furthermore, the LDH/CS activity ratio was higher in the skeletal muscle and brain in group Ⅲ than in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ. Accordingly, anaerobic metabolism was increased in group Ⅲ. LDH A₄, A₂B₂, and B₄ isozymes were expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, liver, and brain tissues. The LDH C hybrid was detected in brain tissue. The LDH A₄ isozyme was successfully purified by affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified LDH A₄ isozyme was 136 kDa and its optimal pH for enzymatic activity was 8.0. The K_m^PYR values of LDH in skeletal muscle were 0.161-0.227 mM using pyruvate as a substrate. These kinetic properties of LDH in skeletal muscle are consistent with the fact that bluegill is a cold-adapted species. These results may be useful for predicting the habitat use of this fish.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1201-1211
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• 2018

The study compared the anti-aging, anti-adipogenesis, and anti-tumor effects of epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) in various cancer cell lines (SNU-601, MKN74, AGS, MCF-7, U87-MG, and A-549) and normal cell lines (MRC-5 fibroblasts, dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells [DSC], and 3T3-L1 pro-adipocytes). Half inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values were significantly (p<0.05) higher in normal cell lines (~50 uM), when compared to that in cancer cell lines (~10 uM). For anti-aging effects, MRC-5 and DSC were exposed to 10 uM EGCG for up to five passages that did not display any growth arrest. Population doubling time and senescence-related ${\beta}-galactosidase$ ($SA-{\beta}-gal$) activity in treated cells were similar to untreated cells. For anti-adipogenic effects, mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were induced to adipocytes in an adipogenic differentiation medium containing 10 uM EGCG, but adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells was not inhibited by EGCG treatment. For anti-tumor effects, the cancer cell lines were treated with 10 uM EGCG. PDT was significantly (p<0.05) increased in EGCG-treated SNU-601, AGS, MCF-7, and U87-MG cancer cell lines, except in MKN74 and A-549. The level of telomerase activity and cell migration capacity were significantly (p<0.05) reduced, while $SA-{\beta}-gal$ activity was highly up-regulated in EGCG treated-cancer cell lines, when compared to that in untreated cancer cell lines. Our results have demonstrated that EGCG treatment induces anti-tumor effects more efficiently as noted by decreased cell proliferation, cell migration, telomerase activity, and increased $SA-{\beta}-gal$ activity than inducing anti-aging and anti-adipogenesis. Therefore, EGCG at a specific concentration can be considered for a potential anti-tumor drug.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.23-31
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• 2012

There are AEC mode and fix mode to exposure when the whole spine antero-posterior radiography is done by using DR equipment. This study compared the utility of fix mode to AEC mode, by evaluating organ dose and effective dose and by examining the quality of radiographic image. GE DEFINIUM 8000 and ART-200X Rando Phantom manufactured by Flukebiometical were used for this study. The Rando phantom was set in front of wall detector of X-rays equipment. AEC mode was set at 80kVp and Fix mode was set at 80kVp, 25mAs, 32mAs, 40mAs, and 50mAs. Whole spine AP image were aquired by combining C, T-L and L-S spine images obtained through 3 exposures. When obtaining C, T-L and L-S spine images, were checked for Air kerma (mGy) value calculated by UNFORS Xi meter attached at the phantom surface of center of radiation field. The effective and organ doses were compared by PCXMC program (PC-Based Monte Carlo Program). The quality of obtained radiographic image was evaluated visually by 3 radiologists using resolution chart. When the effective doses was calculated based on tissue weighting factor of ICRP-103, 1.278mSv was measured by AEC mode, and Fix mode measured 0.405mSv at 25mAs, 0.518mSv at 32mAs, 0.649mSv at 40mAs, and 0.810mSv at 50mAS. In addition, the organ dose measured with esposure at 25mAs by Fix mode was almost equivalent to the organ dose by AEC mode, at the esophagus, thyroid, oral mucosa, salivaly glands located at the cervical spine part, while the organ dose by Fix mode was in general lower than the organ dose by AEC mode at the other organs. When Fix mode at 32mAs, 40mAs, and 50mAs was compared to AEC mode for organ dose in 26 organs, AEC mode had higher measurement in 21 organs but not for than brain, trachea, thyroid, oral mucosa, and salivaly glands which are located at the cervical spine part. The image quality evaluated by resolution test chart was much higher with AEC mode than the quality with Fix mode at all exposure conditions. However, while the image quality of cervical spine exposured at 50mAs by Fix mode was lower than the quality of AEC mode, thoraco-lumbar spine and lumbo-sacral spine were calculated and the quality was similar to AEC mode. Scoliosis occurs mainly at thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral spine, not at cervical spine. Compared to AEC mode, Using the appropriate protocol (80kVp, 50mAs) of fix mode for whole spine AP radiography was thought to be useful because the image quality of the thoraco-lumar and lumbo-sacral spine was similar on AEC mode, Also organ and effective doses can be decreased with Fix mode. Therefore, It is considered that fix mode can be used properly with AEC mode for whole spine AP radiography when considering patient's body posture.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Obesity is a pro-inflammatory state that contributes to the development of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we evaluated the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg L. water extract (PJT). Lipid accumulation measurement indicates that PJT markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly down-regulated by PJT treatment. Oral administration of PJT (100, 300, and 500 ㎎/㎏, b.w/daily for 4 weeks) was conducted in high-fat diet induced obese mice and C57BL/6 mice. The PJT-administered group of HFD-induced mice had a lower body weight gain, along with decreased serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared with the control mice, however, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. Furthermore, the elevated mRNA expression levels of adipogenesis related genes in the white adipose tissue of obese mice were significantly suppressed by PJT. These results indicate that PJT exhibits anti-obesity effects in obese mice by decreasing in serum lipid levels and lipogenesis related gene.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.753-759
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• 2001

To evaluate antiinflammation of Aloe vera peel, antiimflammation substances were extracted from Aloe vera peel and identified, and we investigated the effect of the its substance the inhibitory effect on the activity of hyaluoronidase, elastase, collagenase and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase. The water extract from Aloe vera peel were successfully purified with solvent fractionation, silica gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography and UV spectrometer. Two purified active substances were identified as aloe-emodin and barbaloin by Mass Spectrometer, $^1H-NMR$ and FT-IR. Aloe-emodin and barbaloin. $IC_{50}$ values of aloe-emodin and barbaloin against hyaluronidase activity were 40 and $70\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Leuckocyte elastase, which is related to the destruction of various tissue, $IC_{50}$ values of them were 50 and $60\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. $IC_{50}$ values of aloe-emodin and barbaloin against collagenase activity were 40 and $60\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. and $IC_{50}$ values of aloe-emodin and barbaloin aganist the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, which play an important role in inflammatory reactions, were 40 and $70\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Inhibitory effects of aloe-emodin, barbaloin and aspirin against carrageenan paw edema were 74.9, 52.9 and 51.9% as inhibiton percentage, respectively, at dose of 100 mg/kg and that of indomethancin was 49.7 at dose of 10 mg/kg. Cell cytotoxicity of barbaloin against human gingival cells was lower than that of aloe-emodin. Aloe-emodin and barbaloin did not show cytotoxicity against human gingival cells at concentration of 1.0 and $5.0\;{\mu}g/mL$, However, aloe-emodin and barbaloin showed less cytotoxicity than chlorhexidine, which usually have been used as the agent of anticaries and antiinflammation. These results suggested that aloe-emodin and barbaloin from Aloe vera peel have the effect of anticaries and antiinflammation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.238-245
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• 1999

Antioxidative effects of the water or ethanol extracts from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) were measured by protection against hydroxyl radicals in mouse brain tissue culture. In the water extracts from RVS, cell viabilities were estimated 60.0, 66.0, 72.0, 84.0 and 90.0% at addition of 1, 2, 4, 7 and $10{\mu}L$, respectively, compared with GO (20 mU/mL) alone. The cell viability in the ethanol extracts was similarly with water extracts. In the antitumor effects, the results showed that percentages of the HeLa cell death were approximately 24% for 12 hrs, 57% for 48 hrs at addition of 10%/well ethanol extracts respectively. To know inhibition of tumor growth, in vivo, mice (BALB/c) were inoculated with 0.25 mL CT-26 $(1{\times}10^6\;cells/mL)$ subcutaneously. After the generation of tumor, the results of RVS extracts (ethanol, water) injection showed generally that the tumor size in BALB/c was reduced. For physicochemical characterization of the RVS extracts, purified substances of water or ethanol extracts were analized with SDS-PAGE and ICP spectrometer. In electrophoresis, gel showed 2 bands (210, 230 KDa). The results of ICP verified that RVS extracts contain $Cu^{2+}$ in both samples. Conclusively, this substance might be a laccase which has a biological effective function, as a natural bioactive substance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2006

Purpose : Palpable lymph nodes are common in the pediatric population, and most of them are either inflammatory or congenital. As the diagnostic evaluation, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is known to be more convenient and economical than tissue biopsy. We evaluated the usefulness of FNAC in children and adolescents. Methods : Four hundred and thirteen FNAC samples(M : F=1 : 1.15) were retrospectively analyzed in patients who were brought to Inha University Hospital, from August 1999 to August 2004. Results : The most common age group was 16-20 years of age(N=148, 35.8 percent). The cervical area was the most frequently involved site(N=310, 75 percent). Non-specific lymphadenitis was the most common(N=227, 54.9 percent), followed by the benign neoplasm(N=59, 14.2 percent). Malignant tumors were 18 cases(4.3 percent), and congenital diseases were found in 10 cases(2.4 percent). In inflammatory lesions, tuberculous lymphadenitis(N=22, 5.3 percent) was the most common with a histologic sensitivity of 90.9 percent. The peripheral blood and serologic studies were non-specific. Fifty nine percent(N=244) of lymphadenitis improved without specific management. Antibiotics were prescribed in 15.2 percent of lymphadenitis and lymphadenectomy was performed in 12.6 percent. Conclusion : Most of the enlarged lymph nodes in children and adolescents were benign. These results show FNAC is a safe, rapid and reliable diagnostic procedure for the appropriate differential diagnosis of enlarged lymph nodes in children and adolescents.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.494-500
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• 1996

Uptake of hen metal ions by water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.) and its cadmium-binding protein were studied to probe for good method to remove heavy metal contaminants from environments. The plant was cultured in the culture medium (pH 7.0) containing the various concentrations of $Cd^{2+}$, $Cr^{3+}$ or $Pb^{2+}$, for 3 and 7 days. The residual heavy metals deposited in roots linearly increased as the metal ions concentration increased up to 17 ppm for $Cd^{2+}$, 20 ppm for $Cr^{3+}$ and 50 ppm for $Pb^{2+}$. Above these concentrations, the plant growth was inhibited and the uptake rates of the metal ions decreased. The heavy metals absorbed by the plant were mostly deposited in roots. In particular, the residual concentration of lead in roots was about four times higher than those of cadmium and chromium. When cultured in the medium containing 20 ppm of each metal ion, 80% of cadmium, 90% of cromium and 96% of lead were deposited in roots out of the total residual metal ions in the plant. These values correspond to 6.1 mg of cadmium, 5.2 mg of chromium and 23.6 mg of lead per one gram of roots tissue on a dry weight basis. A cadmium-binding protein was partially purified by extraction, gel filtration and DEAE-Cellulose chromatography from water dropworts that was grown in the medium containing 20 ppm $Cd^{2+}$. The purified protein was a single band on SDS- and non-denaturing- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its molecular mass was estimated to be ca. 5,000 dalton by gel filteration. Analysis of amino acid composition of the protein indicated that it had a typical amino acid composition of heavy metal-binding protein in that it contained 27% of acidic amino acids and 9.9% of cysteine. However, it is likely that the protein is a new plant metal-binding protein, since its amino acid composition is somewhat different from those of phytochelatins that have been known so far.