• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is positively associated with atherosclerosis via elevating macrophage cell death and plaque formation, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects of kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable, have been established, wherein capsaicin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, and lactic acids were identified. In this study, mechanisms of action of kimchi methanol extracts (KME) on fatty streak formation via suppression of ER stress and apoptosis in aorta were examined in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a high cholesterol diet with an oral administration of KME (KME group, $200 mg{\cdot}kg-bw^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) or distilled water (control group) for 8 weeks (n = 20 for group). Plasma lipid and oxidative stress levels were evaluated. Protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Fatty streak lesion size and the degree of apoptosis were examined in the aorta. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, in the KME group, plasma lipids levels were decreased and oxidative stress was alleviated (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated antioxidants in aorta were increased whereas those for ER stress markers, glucose regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit ${\alpha}$, X-box binding protein 1, and C/EBP homologous protein were decreased in the KME group (P < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis was suppressed via downregulation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, caspases-9, and -3 with a concomitant upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (P < 0.05). Fatty streak lesion size was reduced and the degree of apoptosis was less severe in the KME group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, antioxidant activity of KME might prevent fatty streak formation through, in part, inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis in aortic sinus where macrophages are harbored.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 1999

Sero-epidemiologic survey has been carried out to establish serologically the presence of hantavirus in areas of South Africa. The survey was oriented to search natural infection in both of humans and wild rodents and involvement of human disease. The normal human sera were collected from the residents in urban and rural areas of Western Cape, and rural area of Eastern Cape province. The rodent sera came from various species of rodents trapped in Northern Cape and Western Free provinces. The patient sera were selected from the patients of renal failure, pulmonary syndrome and pyrexia of unknown origin (PUQ) according to diagnostic chart among the patients hospitalized in major hospitals of Cape Town area. The sera were screened and titrated by IFA test using antigens of Hantaan (HTN), Seoul (SEO), Puumala (PUU), and Prospect Hill (PH) viruses primarily. Positive cases were subjected to differential IFA test using HTN, PUU and PH antigens and plaque reduction neutralization test for further confirmation. Anti-hantavirus antibodies were detected from 2 of 352 rural, 1 of 172 urban residents of E. Cape, and 5 of 118 rural, 5 of 368 urban residents of W. Cape. The antibody was also demonstrated from 5 of 221 wild rodents, and it was appeared that 2 different species, Aethomys namaquensis and Tatem leucogaster, are involved. Among 318 patients tested, 3 who were diagnosed as chronic renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and glomerulonephritis were proved to be positive. The reaction patterns obtained from all of these positive sera were distinct from hantaviral sero-patterns ever established. This result suggests that new viruses may exist in this area and play an possible etiologic role in human disease. The feature of serologic survey on anti-hantavirus antibody demonstrable newly from African wild rodents which are different from reservoir species in other continents elicits a conjecture that the virus may be different from known hantaviruses ever found. This fact also suggests that an expanded role in etiologic involvement with other unknown human diseases by newly emerging hantaviruses may be possible in this areas.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.60-79
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• 1994

The studies were conducted to investigate the combined effects of Tonics and Mitomycin C(MMC). The effects of Tonics and MMC on the proliferation of Molt-4 cells, human leukemic cell line, and activation of human lymphocytes were estimated by MTT colorimetric assays. Selected medicines among 9 kinds of Tonics by results of MTT assays were treated with MMC in mice. The Tonics itself enhanced the proliferation of Molt-4, but the anti-proliferative effect of MMC was not intercalated by the combined treatment of Tonic and MMC. Inhibitory action of MMC was augmented by Sa Kun Ja Tang(SKT). This result was due to the inhibition of DNA synthesis. Among 9 kinds of Tonics, Sip Jean Dae Bo Tang(SDT), Saeng Maek San(SMS) and Kwi Bi Tang(KBT) did not inhibit the action of MMC, but activated lymphocytes. When the mice were treated by MMC, the number of leukocytes was decreased significantly at the 1st day, but recovered at the 7th day. In the groups of MMC treated with SDT or KBT, the number of leukocytes was increased significantly than the group of MMC treated only at the 3rd day. Combined treatment of the Tonics(SDT, SMS) and MMC retained the body weight of mice at the level of normal mice. SDT, SMS and KBT did not change the number of plaque forming cells(PFC), but MMC treated group decreased the number of PFC. The combined treatment of MMC and SDT increased the number of PFC significantly than the MMC treated group. SDT, SMS and KBT did not influence the proliferation of T cells, but MMC treated group decreased the proliferation of T cells. The combined treatment of MMC and those tonics increased the T cell proliferation significantly than the MMC treated group. In conclusion, the results presented in this paper suggest that SDT, SMS and KBT can recover the side effects of MMC, such as weight loss, leukopenia and immunosuppresion, without any intercalating the anti-proliferative action of MMC in vivo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.835-846
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• 2016

Chemo-resistance is the biggest issue of effective cancer therapy. ABCG2 is highly correlated with multi-drug resistance, and represent a typical phenotype of multiple cancer stem-like cells. Accumulating evidence recently reported that oncolytic viruses represent a new strategy for multiple aggressive cancers and drug resistant cancers including cancer stem cell-like cells and ABCG2 expressing cells. In this study, we generated an evolutionally engineered vaccinia virus, SLJ-496, for drug-resistant cancer therapy. We first showed that SLJ-496 treatment enhanced tumor affinity using cytopathic effect assay, plaque assay, as well as cell viability assay. Next, we clearly demonstrated that in vitro SLJ-496 treatment represents significant cytotoxic effect in multiple cancers including colorectal cancer cells (HT-29, HCT-116, HCT-8), gastric cancer cells (AGS, NCI-N87, MKN-28), Hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SNU-449, SNU-423, SNU-475, HepG2), as well as mesothelioma cell (NCI-H226, NCI-H28, MSTO-221h). Highly ABCG2 expressing HT-29 cells represent cancer stem like phenotype including stem cell marker expression, and self-renewal bioactivities. Interestingly, we demonstrated that in vitro treatment of SLJ-496 showed significant cytotoxicity effect, as well as viral replication capacity in ABCG2 overexpressing cell. In addition, we also demonstrated the cytotoxic effect of SLJ-496 in Adriamycin-resistant cell lines, SNU-620 and ADR-300. Taken together, these findings provide us a pivotal clue that cancer therapy using SLJ-496 vaccinia virus might be new therapeutic strategy to overcome ABCG2 expressing cancer stem-like cell and multiple chemo-resistance cancer cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Objectives : Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and extracellular senile plaque. Moreover, the cellular actions of ${\beta}$-amyloid (A${\beta}$ play a causative role in the pathogenesis of AD. This study was designed to determine whether Woo-Gui-Um, a commonly used Korean herbal medicine, has the ability to protect cortical and hippocampal neurons against A${\beta}_{25-35}$ neurotoxicity Methods : In the present study, the authors investigated the preventative effects of the water extract of Woo-Gui-Um in a mouse model of AD. Memory impairment was induced by intraventricularly (i.c.v.) injecting A${\beta}_{25-35}$ peptides into mice. Woo-Gui-Um extract was then administered orally (p.o.) for 14 days. In addition, A${\beta}_{25-35}$ toxicity on the hippocampus was assessed immunohistochemically, by staining for Tau, MAP2, TUNEL, and Bax, and by performing an in vitro study in PC12 cells. Results : Woo-Gui-Um extract had an effect to improve learning ability and memory score in the water maze task. Woo-Gui-Um extract had significant neuroprotective effects in vivo against oxidative damage and apoptotic cell death of hippocampal neurons caused by i.c.v. A${\beta}_{25-35}$. In addition, Woo-Gui-Um extract was found to have a protective effect on A${\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptosis, and to promote neurite outgrowth of nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that Woo-Gui-Um extract reduces memory impairment and Alzheimer's dementia via an anti-apoptotic effect and by regulating Tau and MAP2 in the hippocampus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.661-670
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• 2018

Fimasartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, reduces myocyte damage and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque through its anti-inflammatory effect in animal studies. We investigated the protective effects of pretreatment with fimasartan on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in a mouse model of ischemic renal damage. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with or without 5 (IR-F5) or 10 (IR-F10) mg/kg/day fimasartan for 3 days. Renal ischemia was induced by clamping bilateral renal vascular pedicles for 30 min. Histology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis assays were evaluated 24 h after IRI. Compared to the untreated group, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the IR-F10 group. IR-F10 kidneys showed less tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis than untreated kidneys. The expression of F4/80, a macrophage infiltration marker, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, decreased in the IR-F10 group. High-dose fimasartan treatment attenuated the upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in ischemic kidneys. Fewer TUNEL positive cells were observed in IR-F10 compared to control mice. Fimasartan caused a significant decrease in caspase-3 activity and the level of Bax, and increased the Bcl-2 level. Fimasartan preserved renal function and tubular architecture from IRI in a mouse ischemic renal injury model. Fimasartan also attenuated upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and decreased apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Our results suggest that fimasartan inhibited the process of tubular injury by preventing apoptosis induced by the inflammatory pathway.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.158-170
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• 1992

The studies were conducted to investigate the combined effects of several combined preparation of crude drugs and mitomycin C(MMC). The combined effects on the proliferation of Molt-4 cells and activation of human lymphocytes were estimated by MTT colorimetric assays. The drugs itself enhanced the proliferation of Molt-4, but the inhibitory action of MMC was not affected by the combined treatment of the drugs and MMC. Among 9 kinds of the drugs, Sip Jeon Dae Bo Tang(SDT), Saeng Maek San(SMS) and Kwi Bi Tang(KBT) did not inhibit the action of MMC, but activated lymphocytes. When the mice were treated by MMC, the number of leukocytes was decreased significantly at the 1st day, but recovered at the 7th day. In the groups of MMC treated with SDT or KBT, the number of leukocytes was increased significantly than the group of MMC treated only at the 3rd day. The combined treatment of SDT, SMS and MMC retained the body weight of mice at the level of normal mice. The SDT, SMS and KBT did not change the number of plaque forming cells(PFC) and the proliferation of T cells. The combined treatment of SDT and MMC increased the number of PFC significantly than the MMC treated group. The combined treatment of SDT, SMS, KBT and MMC increased the T cell proliferation significantly than the MMC treated group. In conclusion, it is suggested that SDT, SMS and KBT can recover the side effects of MMC, such as weight loss, leukopenia and immunosuppression, without any intercalating the anti-proliferative action of MMC in vivo.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2006

Statement of problem. Proliferation of Candida albicans is primarily within the plaque on the fitting surface of the denture rather than on the inflamed mucosa. Consequently, the treatment of the denture is equally important as treatment of the tissue. Cleansing and disinfection should be efficiently carried-out as the organisms can penetrate into the voids of the acrylic resin and grow in them, from which they can continue to infect and reinfect bearing tissues. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of photocatalytic reaction to eliminate Candida albicans from acrylic resin denture base, and to investigate the anti-fungal effect with various UVA illumination time. Materials and Methods. The specimens were cured by the conventional method following the manufacturer's instruction using thermal polymerized denture base resin (Vertex RS: Dentimex, Netherlands). $TiO_2$ photocatalyst sol(LT), which is able to be coated at normal temperature, was made from the Ti-alkoxide progenitor. The XRD patterns, TEM images and nitrogen absorption ability of the $TiO_2$ photocatalyst sol(LT) were compared with the commercial $TiO_2$ photocatalyst P-25. The experimental specimens were coated with the mixture of the $TiO_2$ photocatalyst sol(LT) and binder material (silane) using dip-coater, and uncoated resin plates were used as the control group. Crystallinity of $TiO_2$ of the specimen was tested by the XRD. Size, shape and chemical compositions were also analyzed using the FE-SEM/ EDS. The angle and methylene blue degradation efsciency were measured for evaluating the photocatalytic activity of the $TiO_2$ film. Finally, the antifungal activity of the specimen was tested. Candida albicans KCTC 7629(1 ml, initial concentration $10^5$ cells/ ml) were applied to the experiment and control group specimens and subsequently two UVA light source with 10W, 353 nm peak emission were illuminated to the specimens from 15cm above. The extracted $2{\mu}l$ of sample was plated on nutrient agar plate ($Bacto^{TM}$ Brain Heart Infusion; BD, USA) with 10 minute intervals for 120 minute, respectively. It was incubated for 24 hours at $37^{\circ}C$ and the colony forming units (CFUs) were then counted. Results. Compared the characteristics of LT photocatalyst with commercial P-25 photocatalyst, LT were shown higher activity than P-25. The LT coated experimental specimen surface had anatase crystal form, less than 20 nm of particle size and wide specific surface area. To evaluate the photocatalytic activity of specimens, methylene blue degradation reaction were used and about 5% of degradation rate were measured after 2 hours. The average contact angle was less than $20^{\circ}$ indicating that the LT photocatalyst had hydrophilicity. In the antifungal activity test for Candida albicans, 0% survival rate were measured within 30 minute after irradiation of UVA light. Conclusion. From the results reported above, it is concluded that the UVA-LT photocatalytic reaction have an antifungal effect on the denture surface Candida albicans, and so that could be applicable to the clinical use as a cleaning method.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2007

Germanium-fortified yeast (GY) is a organic germanium-fortified yeast with potent immune modulating activities including anti-inflammatory effect. Through cell line studies, we observed that GY can modulate the diverse immune activity but little evidence was provided on the mechanism of GY in modulating immune activities in other higher animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of GY on modulation of immune function in mice. GY was administered in normal mice or tumor-bearing mice and then effect of GY on modulation of host immune system was analyzed by using ex vivo isolated macrophages, B cells, NK cells. Admistration of GY in mice induced macrophage activation thereby increased effector function of macrophage such as increased phagocytosis, chemotaxis, adherence, $O_2-release$, NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. In addition, GY administration Increased B lymphocyte activation and plaque forming cells. Furthermore, GY administration increased NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GY administration suppressed progression of tumor in mice by increasing $TNF-{\alpha}$ production and effector function of NK cells. Our results showed that GY has a potent immunostimulatory function in vivo mice model. Proper modulation and administration of GY in human could be helpful to maintaining immunological homeostasis by modulating host immune system.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.707-727
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• 2000

매식된 인공치아의 성공을 위해서는 적절한 교합과 수동적 적합성을 갖는 보철물의 제작과 구강내 노출 직후부터의 세균성 치태조절이 요구된다. 본 연구는 전처리(passivation과 tridodecyl - methyl - ammonium chloride(TDMAC) 처리)가 다른 타이타늄 표 면에 chlorhexidine varnish와 테트라사이클린 을 도포시 약제의 방출역학을 알아보고 구강내 치태형성의 억제정도를 평가하기 위하여 시행 되었다. 이를 위해 방출용액으로 인산완충액 성분의 인조타액을 1일${\sim}$1개월간 매일 교환하여 약제농도를 측정하고 타이타늄 박막에 잔류한 약제 활성을 측정하였으며 항균제 도포한 타이타늄 원판을 부착한 장치를 구강내 위치시킨 1일${\sim}$3주 후 원판을 제거하여 주사전자현미경으로 세균 부착상을 관찰하였다. 테트라사이클린은 TDMAC 처리된 표면에서 $10{\sim}18$일까지 유효농도로 방출되었고 표면의 유효 항균 활성은 $3{\sim}4$주간 유지되었으며, chlorhexidine varnish 도포 시에는 TDMAC 전처리시 초기에 $3{\sim}7$일 간 증가한 유효 항균 활성을 방출하여 매식지대치 등에 이러한 항균제도포 시 매식치 주위환경에 항균활성 공급원으로 작용할 수 있음을 보였다. 주사현미경적 관찰시 모든 타이타늄 표면에서 구강내 위치 30분 후에는 세균이 부착되어 있지 않고 타액 단백질 성분에서 유래한 것으로 보이는 피막물질이 표면을 부분 또는 전면에 걸쳐 덮고 있었다. 구강내 노출 2시간 후 항균제 미도포 표본들에는 약간의 구균이 단층으로, $1{\sim}3$일 후에는 부분적으로 두꺼운 세균층을 형성하였고 7일 후에는 표면전체에 걸쳐 세균층이 덮여있었으며 주로 구균과 약간의 간균이 주종을 이루었다. 항균제 도포시 구강내 노출 1주일 이전까지는 미도포군에 비해 치태형성이 지연되는 경향을 보였지만 2주 이후에는 세균 수나 치태형성 양상이 유사하였다. 이 연구로부터 항균제 도포시 1주일 이전의 초기 치태형성을 감소시킬 수 있음을 알 수 있었으며 이러한 연구결과는 타이타늄 임프란트 지대치 표면에 항균제의 도포가 임상적으로 유용할 수 있음을 시사하였다.