• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.1071-1077
• /
• 2017

A rise in the occurrence of allergic diseases is attributed to the dysregulated balance of type 1/type 2 immunity, where type 2 T-helper (Th2) cells predominate over type 1 T-helper (Th1) cells, leading to an abnormally increased production of IgE in response to unharmful antigens. Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food, is a rich source of beneficial lactic acid bacteria. In this study, we investigated the ability of Enterococcus faecium FC-K derived from kimchi to induce type I immunity in the presence of Th2 polarizing conditions in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with E. faecium FC-K induced the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12. Under the in vitro Th2 conditions in which splenic T cells were activated in the presence of IL-4, E. faecium FC-K enhanced the ability of T cells to produce interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$. Using the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy model, male BALB/c mice receiving E. faecium FC-K reduced the serum level of total IgE, but not that of OVA-specific IgE. Furthermore, the population of activated splenic B cells during OVA immunization was decreased in E. faecium FC-K-treated mice, accounting for a reduction of total IgE in the serum. Restimulating splenocytes from OVA-immunized mice with OVA ex vivo resulted in an increased production of $IFN-{\gamma}$, with no effect on IL-4, in E. faecium FC-K-treated mice. These observations provide the evidence that E. faecium FC-K can be a beneficial probiotic strain that can modulate the Th2-mediated pathologic response.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.159-175
• /
• 1998

In order to investigate the antitumor effect by Chungsangbohahwan after B-16 cells were transplanted in C57BL/6 mice, and the immune responses in mice induced by methotrexate, the extract of Chungsangbohahwan was orally administered to the mice for 21 days. Experimental studies were performed for measurance of metastasis, cell cytotoxicity in vitro, natural killer cell activity, productivity of interleukin-2. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Inhibition of metastasis in Chungsangbohahwan-treated group was higher than control group with significance on 7th day and 14th day. 2. On the MTT assay, cell viability was significantly inhibited by $5{\mu}g/well$, $2.5{\mu}g/well$, $1.25{\mu}g/well$, and $0.625{\mu}g/well$ of Chungsangbohahwan concentration inhibited cell viability significantly(P<0.05). $IC_{50}$ for cell viability was $2.17{\mu}g/well$. 3. Natural killer cell activity in Chungsangbohahwan-treated group was significantly increased on 100:1, 50:1 E/T(effect cell/target cell) ratio(P<0.05). 4. Production of interleukin-2 in Chungsangbohahwan-treated group was significantly increased(P<0.05).

• Strategy21
• /
• s.30
• /
• pp.143-176
• /
• 2012

We are witnessing the growing maritime tension on the East Asian sea these days. Each naval powers in the region are competing each other to acquire more advanced naval capabilities. Based upon the rapid economic development, China is actively beefing up its naval capabilities and expand its boundary of naval activities all over the East Asian region. Chinese Navy already unveiled its expansive naval strategy replacing the traditional concept of 'Near-Sea Defense' with the new concept of 'Far-Sea Defense' strategy. In response to potential rival's naval build up, the U.S. is redeploying its naval forces focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. enhances its joint naval exercises with the countries in the region, such as Japan, India, Australia and so on. In addition, Washington is devising new naval strategy under the concept of 'Air-Sea Battle' to deter Peking's so-called 'Anti-Access/ Area Denial(A2AD)' strategy. As a close ally of the U.S., Japan also disclosed its clear intention to strengthen the Maritime Self Defense Force(MSDF)'s capabilities by introducing the new concept of 'Dynamic Defense Force' in 2011. Under the new concept, JMSDF is pursuing the additional acquisition of submarines, quasi-aircraft carriers, Aegis-equipped destroyers, etc. Under the new president's strong leadership, Russia is also invigorating the naval build-up. Especially, Russia is fortifying the Pacific Fleet's naval assets by deploying new-type of naval ships such as the Mistral which was imported from France. In the midst of competitive naval build-up among the major naval powers in the region, we are observing the growing maritime conflicts on the East China Sea as well as South China Sea. Those naval conflicts can pose severe threats to our national interests. Maritime conflicts on the East or South China Sea can imperil our sea lanes which will be indispensible for national economic development. Neighboring countries' maritime conflicts also will cast an uncertainty on the path to mobilize international cooperation to resolve the North Korean issues. We should contribute to ease the maritime tension in the region by various ways. First, we should actively galvanize the bilateral maritime dialogue among the major naval powers in the region. Second, we also should take the lead to form a multilateral maritime cooperation mechanism in the region. Above all, we should set the aim to be a peaceful maritime power who can contribute to a building of stable maritime order in the region with a considerable naval power.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.3035-3042
• /
• 2015

Background: Isorhamnetin (Iso), a novel and essential monomer derived from total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides that has long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction, has also shown a spectrum of antitumor activity. However, little is known about the mechanisms of action Iso on cancer cells. Objectives: To investigate the effects of Iso on A549 lung cancer cells and underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: A549 cells were treated with $10{\sim}320{\mu}g/ml$ Iso. Their morphological and cellular characteristics were assessed by light and electronic microscopy. Growth inhibition was analyzed by MTT, clonogenic and growth curve assays. Apoptotic characteristics of cells were determined by flow cytometry (FCM), DNA fragmentation, single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay, immunocytochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL). Tumor models were setup by transplanting Lewis lung carcinoma cells into C57BL/6 mice, and the weights and sizes of tumors were measured. Results: Iso markedly inhibited the growth of A549 cells with induction of apoptotic changes. Iso at $20{\mu}g/ml$, could induce A549 cell apoptosis, up-regulate the expression of apoptosis genes Bax, Caspase-3 and P53, and down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2, cyclinD1 and PCNA protein. The tumors in tumor-bearing mice treated with Iso were significantly smaller than in the control group. The results of apoptosis-related genes, PCNA, cyclinD1 and other protein expression levels of transplanted Lewis cells were the same as those of A549 cells in vitro. Conclusions: Iso, a natural single compound isolated from total flavones, has antiproliferative activity against lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Its mechanisms of action may involve apoptosis of cells induced by down-regulation of oncogenes and up-regulation of apoptotic genes.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.310-317
• /
• 2017

Mammalian cells control cellular homeostasis using a variety of defensive enzymes in order to combat against environmental oxidants and electrophiles. NF-E2-related factor-2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that, in response to an exposure to oxidative stress, translocates into the nucleus and modulates the inducible expression of various phase II cytoprotective enzymes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). In the present study, we have acquired 400 ethanol extracts of traditional medicinal plants and attempted to find out possible extract(s) that can increase the NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes. As a result, we have identified that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica strongly activated the ARE-dependent luciferase activity in HaCaT- ARE-luciferase cells. Exposure of ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica increased the viability and activated transcription and translation of NRF2-dependent phase II cytoprotective enzymes in HaCaT cells, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD[P]H:quinone oxidorecutase-1 (NQO1). In addition, ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby inhibiting the formation of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in HaCaT cells. Together, our results demonstrate that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica exert anti-oxidant effects via the induction of NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2018

Chrysoeriol is a widespread flavone, and it is usually found in alfalfa, which has been used as a traditional medicine to treat dyspepsia, asthma, and urinary system disorders. Recently, analysis has been conducted on the anti-inflammatory activity of chrysoeriol, but information on its antioxidative capacity is limited. In this study, the antioxidative potential of chrysoeriol against oxidative damage and its molecular mechanisms were evaluated by analysis of the cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and Western blots in the RAW 264.7 cell line. Chrysoeriol significantly scavenged lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intracellular ROS formation in a dose-dependent manner, without any cytotoxicity. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a phase II enzyme that exerts antioxidative activity, was also potently induced by chrysoeriol treatment, which corresponded to the translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus. Moreover, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) were analyzed due to their important role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative stress. As a result, chrysoeriol-induced HO-1 upregulation was mediated by extracellular signal - regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 phosphorylation. To identify the antioxidative potential exerted by HO-1, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage was applied and mitigated by chrysoeriol treatment, which was confirmed by the HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer, respectively. Consequently, chrysoeriol strongly strengthened the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the regulation of the Nrf2/MAPK signaling pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1255-1264
• /
• 2015

Cnidium officinale, a traditional herb, has diverse beneficial pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiangiogenesis effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by C. officinale are poorly defined. The present study investigated the proapoptotic effects of water, ethanol, and methanol extract of C. officinale (WECO, EECO, and MECO, respectively) in human leukemia U937 cells. The antiproliferative activity of EECO was higher than that of WECO and MECO. The antiproliferative effect of EECO treatment in U937 cells was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, including increased populations of annexin-V positive cells, the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation, and increased numbers of cells with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, Δψm). EECO-induced apoptotic cell death was associated with upregulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and down-regulation of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (cIAP-1), Bcl-2, and total Bid. The EECO treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9), and degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), β-catenin, and phospholipase C-γ1 (PLCγ1). In addition, the EECO treatment effectively activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. However, compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, significantly reduced EECO-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that AMPK is a key regulator of apoptosis in response to EECO in human leukemia U937 cells.

• Korean journal of communication and information
• /
• v.16
• /
• pp.168-206
• /
• 2001

This study attempts to examine the relationships between the major market-based media and the government after closing military regime era, 1961-1987. After the military regime was collapsed, while the mass media in Korea obtained independence and autonomy from government, they have been confronted with the terrible competition not so much comparatively as before. The watchdog role in the traditional liberalism, which is regarded as normative relationship between the media and the government would be transformed in accordance with the market condition and the maturity of democracy. Thus, the watchdog metaphor has been variously deviated in rower-centered society; lap dog, guard dog, attack dog. liberalists argue that the primary democratic role of the media is to art as a public watchdog overseeing the state. Social democrats, however, criticize them as simplistic conception which could be only applied to the government. They argue that the media should be seen as a source of redress against the abuse of all forms of power over others; the home, the economy, and the civil society. The lap dog view is that the media is overwhelmingly dependent on the established power structure contrary to the watchdog. While the guard dog perspective is a means to preserve the power structure alarming with playing 'conflict role', the attack do8 aims to the private interest of the media in intruding into the politics. The attack dog perspective by T. Patterson could be composed of the interpretive style of report, the game schema report over the policy schema in the election, and the negativism against politics and government. The market-dominant press has been likely to transform from lap-guard dog into attack-guard dog. In Roh Tae Woo government(1988-1992), while the press was a lessened lap-guard dog before three parties merger in 1990, after merger the press had been transformed as the reinforced lap-guard dog because this merger entailed joint, party-to-party negotiations, and the formation of the new party preceded by dissolution of the ruling blot. In the early stage of Kim Young Sam government(1993-1997), the press has kept in pace with the reform movement drive-forced by the government. However, the press withdrew the support of Kim's reform in reaching the level of threat to ruling bloc. The press coalesced only circumstantially with government and was interested in preserving some margin of independence. The failure of Kim's reform proved the political muscle of the press in post-autho-ritarianism. In the middle stage of Kim Dae Jung government (1998-) that resulted in the shift of power structure as once-opposition party leader, the stress has been a manifested attack-guard dog owing to the anti-cold war policy, the realignment policy of power, and the minority-base of Kim's government. The press has endeavored to hold political communication within limits relatively less threatening to the established order.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2012

Mobility and quality of service (QoS) are becoming the more important issues in wireless communications. The traditional Internet service is expanding into new access media and applications. Since wireless communication services are accompanied by frequent handovers at remote sites, scalable and fast handover has become a prerequisite for ubiquitous communication. In this paper, the differentiated service (Diffserv) model is deployed in heterogeneous proxy mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) networks to satisfy the QoS guaranteed service and fast handover requirements. The operational procedures for QoS guaranteed global roaming are presented. In addition, QoS management and handover cost evaluation schemes based on a mobile host's movement scope are proposed. This paper analyzes the reduction in handover delay in a network-based localized mobility management framework. We propose and analyze a PMIPv6 optimized with a global mobile access gateway (G-MAG), which is a network-based entity, to further improve the handover performance in terms of handover delay while maintaining minimal signaling overhead in the air interface among converged heterogeneous wireless networks. The handover signaling procedures with host-based MIPv6 are compared with network-based proxy MIPv6 (PMIPv6) and fast PMIPv6 assisted by G-MAG to show how much handover delay reduction can be achieved. Analytical results show that the handover delay is significantly reduced.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.607-612
• /
• 2009

The malignant tumor in childhood is one of the main causes of children s death due to disease. The traditional treatment for the malignancy is known for the radiation therapy and the chemical therapy or both. However, the treatments tend to induce intraoral complications. Different from adults, almost all children on cancer therapy are expected to have dental complications, because their permanent teeth are on the developmental stage. The degree of dental complication depends on the patient's age, type of chemical and other factors-radiation dose and frequency. In this report, 3 children who had experienced the anti-cancer therapy on their age between 1 and 4 years were selected and dental complications were examined. The children have chance for the various oral complications including the developmental problems such as agenesis, microdontia and hypoplasia of the teeth. Therefore, it's important to understand the side-effects of anticancer therapy during the permanent teeth had been developmental stage in young patients. Also, oral health care specialists, including pediatric and hospital dentist can support the oncology team by providing basic oral care, implementing oral care protocols, delivering emergency dental treatment undergoing anticancer treatment.