• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of branches from Taxillus yadoriki parasitic to Neolitsea sericea (TN-NS-B) against human lung cancer cells, A549. TY-NS-B dose-dependently suppressed the growth of A549 cells. TY-NS-B decreased ${\beta}$-catenin protein level, but not mRNA level in A549 cells. The downregulation of ${\beta}$-catenin protein level by TY-NS-B was attenuated in the presence of MG132. Although TY-NS-B phosphorylated ${\beta}$-catenin protein, the inhibition of $GSK3{\beta}$ by LiCl did not blocked the reduction of ${\beta}$-catenin by TY-NS-B. In addition, TY-NS-B decreased ${\beta}$-catenin protein in A549 cells transfected with Flag-tagged wild type ${\beta}$-catenin or Flag-tagged S33/S37/T41 mutant ${\beta}$-catenin construct. Our results suggested that TN-NS-B may downregulate ${\beta}$-catenin protein level independent on $GSK3{\beta}$-induced ${\beta}$-catenin phosphorylation. Based on these findings, TY-NS-B may be a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human lung cancer.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2018

Alpha-pinene is an organic compound that possesses antibiotic and anti-parasitic activities. In this study, we developed a layered nanocomposite to combat against Miamiensis avidus which causes scuticociliatosis in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. We used a solid-solid reaction to develop the layered nanocomposite, incorporating-pinene ($C_{10}H_{16}$) into organically modified montmorillonite. We used cetyltrimethylammonium cations as the interlayered modifier for the adsorption of hydrophobic pinene molecules. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the nanocomposite structure showed that the basal spacing increased from $9.6{\AA}$ to $30.4{\AA}$. Interestingly, the fraction of ${\alpha}$-pinene released remained constant for a long period of time (228 h) due to the layered nature of the nanocomposite. Additionally, optical microscopic images of the treated scuticociliatids revealed that their cells were lysed, and this effect increased with the increasing concertration of ${\alpha}$-pinene. Histopathological assessment of ${\alpha}$-pinene nanocomposite-treated olive flounder gills revealed no significant morphological changes, even at the highest concentration of the ${\alpha}$-pinene. The nanocomposite has several advantages, including easy handling, high solubility, low toxicity, and the easy formulation of granules or powder, which improve the pesticidal activity of ${\alpha}$-pinene. Collectively, our results suggest that ${\alpha}$-pinene nanocomposite may be a useful treatment against scuticociliatosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 1991

Tetrahymena pyriformis is a free-living ciliate protozoan in the freshwater system. Experiments were carried out to determine whether intraperitoneal administration of T. pyriformis (GL strain) to mice activates macrophages to be able to kill Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in vitro. Mice were also injected intraperitoneally with several synthetic activators; dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA), dextran sulfate, complete Freund's adjutant (CFA) as well as Toxoplasma and Tetrehymena Iysates in order to activate mouse peritoneal macrophages. One week after the administration of activators, peritoneal cells were harvested and the adherent macrophages were challenged with Toxoplasma tachyzoites. Macrophage monolayers were then fixed with absolute methanol after washing, and stained with Giemsa solution. The percentage of the adherent cells infected and total number of organisms per 100 macrophages were calculated to make toxoplasma-cidal activity of macrophages according to the cultivation time. Peritoneal macrophages from mice administered with Tetrahymena exhibited significant protection against target parasites as compared with those treated with synthetic activators. Among non-biological synthetic activators, DDA was evaluated as an ellcellent activator.