• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2021

Eisenia bicyclis is known to have secondary metabolites exhibiting various biological activities. In a preliminary study, the n-hexane fraction obtained from the ethanolic extract of E. bicyclis showed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the ethyl acetate and butyl alcohol fractions based on the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Using this fraction (E. bicyclis hexane fraction, EHF), we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with up to 50 ㎍/mL EHF significantly inhibited NO and prostaglandin E₂ production as well as their responsible enzyme proteins and mRNAs, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Similarly, EHF markedly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α as well as their mRNA levels. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was strongly suppressed by EHF treatment. EHF significantly reduced the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt in LPS-stimulated cells. Moreover, EHF reduced ear edema in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced mice. These results indicate that EHF contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds, which may be used as a dietary supplement for the prevention of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2020

Purpose: In this study, we added two kinds of photoinitiators (CQ and TPO) to prepare two kinds of denture base resins (Bis-GMA series and UDMA series) for three-dimensional (3D) printing to compare and analyze their mechanical and biological properties and to find the optimal composition. Methods: Control specimens were made using the mold made of polyvinyl siloxane of the same size. Light curing was performed twice for 20 seconds on both the upper and lower surfaces with LED (light emitting diode) light-curing unit (n=10). Experimental 3D printing dental resins were prepared, to which two photoinitiators were added. Digital light processing type 3D printer (EMBER, Autodesk, CA, USA) was used for 3D printing. The specimen size was 64 mm×10 mm×3.3 mm according to ISO 20795-1. The final specimens were tested for flexural strength and flexural modulus, and MTT test was performed. Furthermore, one-way analysis of variance was performed, and the post-test was analyzed by Duncan's test at α=0.05. Results: The flexural strength of both Bis-GMA+CQ (97.12±6.47 MPa) and UDMA+TPO (97.40±3.75 MPa) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the experimental group. The flexural modulus in the experimental group of UDMA+TPO (2.56±0.06 GPa) was the highest (p<0.05). MTT test revealed that all the experimental groups showed more than 70% cell activity. Conclusion: The composition of UDMA+TPO showed excellent results in flexural strength, flexural modulus, and biocompatibility.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.7
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• 2021

Biosilica is a silica-based substance derived from the cell walls (frustules) of diatoms. Recently, research into biosilica's biological functions is underway, but little has been reported on the effects of biosilica on immune cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of ionized biosilica water (iBW) on dendritic cells (DCs), which play crucial roles as antigen (Ag)-presenting cells. Treatment with iBW increased the expression of immune response-related markers, closely connected to the maturation of DCs, and the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In addition, iBW-treated DCs (iBW-DCs) had a lower uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran than that of control DCs. Mixed leukocyte response analysis used for measuring the Ag-presenting capability of DCs, showed iBW-DCs had a higher capability than that of control DCs. Interestingly, DCs treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and iBW had a lower level of Ag-presenting capability than that of LPS-treated DCs. Taken together, the results indicate that iBW alone can mature DCs, but it decreases the Ag-presenting capability of DCs in the presence of LPS, a representative agent of inflammation. This study may provide valuable information regarding the effect of iBW on immune cells. Further research is needed to investigate how iBW induces the observed biphasic immunomodulatory activity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2021

Mammalian reovirus (MRV) causes respiratory and intestinal disease in mammals. Although MRV isolates have been reported to circulate in several animals, there are no reports on Korean MRV isolates from wildlife. We investigated the biological and molecular characteristics of Korean MRV isolates based on the nucleotide sequence of the segment 1 gene. In total, 144 swabs from wild animals were prepared for virus isolation. Based on virus isolation with specific cytopathic effects, indirect fluorescence assays, electron microscopy, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, only one isolate was confirmed to be MRV from a Korean roe deer (Capreolus pygargus). The isolate exhibited a hemagglutination activity level of 16 units with pig erythrocytes and had a maximum viral titer of 10^5.7 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀)/mL in Vero cells at 5 days after inoculation. The nucleotide and amino-acid sequences of the partial segment S1 of the MReo2045 isolate were determined and compared with those of other MRV strains. The MReo2045 isolate had nucleotide sequences similar to MRV-3 and was most similar (96.1%) to the T3/Bat/Germany/342/08 strain, which was isolated in Germany in 2008. The MReo2045 isolate will be useful as an antigen for sero-epidemiological studies and developing diagnostic tools.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.262-270
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• 2021

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel implicated in pain sensation in response to heat, protons, and capsaicin (CAPS). It is well established that TRPV1 is involved in mechanical allodynia. This study investigates the effect of Ononis spinosa (Fabaceae) in CAPS-induced mechanical allodynia and its mechanism of action. Methods: Mechanical allodynia was induced by the intraplantar (ipl) injection of 40 ㎍ CAPS into the left hind paw of male Wistar rats. Animals received an ipl injection of 100 ㎍ O. spinosa methanolic leaf extract or 2.5% diclofenac sodium 20 minutes before CAPS injection. Paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured using von Frey filament 30, 90, and 150 minutes after CAPS injection. A molecular docking tool, AutoDock 4.2, was used to study the binding energies and intermolecular interactions between O. spinosa constituents and TRPV1 receptor. Results: The ipsilateral ipl injection of O. spinosa before CAPS injection increased PWT in rats at all time points. O. spinosa decreased mechanical allodynia by 5.35-fold compared to a 3.59-fold decrease produced by diclofenac sodium. The ipsilateral pretreatment with TRPV1 antagonist (300 ㎍ 4-[3-Chloro-2-pyridinyl]-N-[4-[1,1-dimethylethyl] phenyl]-1-piperazinecarboxamide [BCTC]) as well as the β2-adrenoreceptor antagonist (150 ㎍ butoxamine) attenuated the action of O. spinosa. Depending on molecular docking results, the activity of the extract could be attributed to the bindings of campesterol, stigmasterol, and ononin compounds to TRPV1. Conclusions: O. spinosa alleviated CAPS-induced mechanical allodynia through 2 mechanisms: the direct modulation of TRPV1 and the involvement of β2 adrenoreceptor signaling.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2021

Asarum sieboldii Miq. (Aristolochiaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant and has been used as traditional medicine for treating diseases, cold, fever, phlegm, allergies, chronic gastritis, and acute toothaches. Also, it has various biological activities, such as antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and antifungal. However, the anticancer effect of A. sieboldii have been rarely reported, except anticancer effect on lung cancer cell (A549) of water extracts of A. sieboldii. This study investigated the anticancer activity of methanol extracts of A. sieboldii (MeAS) and the underlying mechanism in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. MeAS inhibited FaDu cells grown dose-dependently without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and live and dead assay. In addition, concentration of MeAS without cytotoxicity (0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL) inhibited migration and colony formation. Moreover, MeAS treatment significantly induced apoptosis through the proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, -9, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, 4'6-diamidino-2-phenylindole stain, and western blotting. Altogether, these results suggest that MeAS exhibits strong anticancer effects by suppressing the growth of oral cancer cells and the migration and colony formation via caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, MeAS can serve as a natural chemotherapeutic for human oral cancer.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.219-227
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• 2020

As the earth's average temperature rises, crop and livestock productions are at risk. Chickens are sensitive to heat stress, and increased temperatures may have adverse effects on their production performance and animal welfare. Reliable stress measurements are crucial for heat stress adaptation. Therefore, various measurement methods and biomarkers are used to evaluate poultry stress levels. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are heat sensitive biological markers that are highly expressed under stress, thereby acting as a cellular thermometer. HSPs also have chaperone activity, which protects cells from heat stress. This review details the role of HSP70 as a molecular chaperone and biomarker for heat stress, which is important for breeding climate-adaptable, thermo-tolerant poultry.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2021

In modern society, indoor activities time is increasing due to industrial development. Interest in indoor air quality is increasing as indoor activity time increases. The main causes of indoor air pollution are formaldehyde which a chemical cause, and fungi which a biological cause. Phytoncide effectively reduces Formaldehyde and Fungi. Charcoal which possess porous-structure has a good absorbance of pollutants. In this study, the authors manufactured functional cement matrix using by phytoncide and charcoal to remove formaldehyde and fungi. In this study, Functional cement matrix reduced formaldehyde and Fungi and effectively improve indoor air quality.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2021

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), which is a curcuminoid found in turmeric, has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of DMC on osteosarcoma has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DMC on cell growth and apoptosis induction in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. This study was investigated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromid assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and immunoblotting in MG-63 cells. DMC induced MG-63 cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 54.4 µM. DMC treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in MG-63 cells. DMC-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting results showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while Bax and Bad were upregulated by DMC in MG-63 cells. These results indicated that DMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells via the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.194-207
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• 2021

It is necessary to assess and manage the different elements of the marine ecosystem, such as climate change, habitat, primary and secondary production, energy flow, food web, potential yield, and fishing, to maintain the health of the ecosystem as well as support sustainable development of fishery. We set up an ecosystem model around the Korean peninsula to produce scientific predictions necessary for the assessment and management of marine ecosystems and presented the usability of the model with scenario experiments. We used the Atlantis ecosystem model based on the marine food web; Atlantis is a three-dimensional end-to-end model that includes the information and processes within an entire system, from an abiotic environment to human activity. We input the ecological and biological parameters, such as growth, mortality, spawning, recruitment, and migration, to the Atlantis model via functional groups using existing research and local measurements. During the simulation period (2018-2019), we confirmed that the model reproduced the observed data reasonably and reflected the actual ecosystem characteristics appropriately. We thus identified the usability of a marine ecosystem model with experiments on different environmental change scenarios.