• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2020

Leishmaniasis is a prevalent cause of death and animal morbidity in underdeveloped countries of endemic area. However, there is few vaccine and effective drugs. Antimicrobial peptides are involved in the innate immune response in many organisms and are being developed as novel drugs against parasitic infections. In the present study, we synthesized a 5-amino acid peptide REDLK, which mutated the C-terminus of Pseudomonas exotoxin, to identify its effect on the Leishmania tarentolae. Promastigotes were incubated with different concentration of REDLK peptide, and the viability of parasite was assessed using MTT and Trypan blue dye. Morphologic damage of Leishmania was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Cellular apoptosis was observed using the annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit and flow cytometry. Our results showed that Leishmania tarentolae was susceptible to REDLK in a dose-dependent manner, disrupt the surface membrane integrity and caused parasite apoptosis. In our study, we demonstrated the leishmanicidal activity of an antimicrobial peptide REDLK from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against Leishmania tarentolae in vitro and present a foundation for further research of anti-leishmanial drugs.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2011

This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of natural herbal extracts including Houttuynia cordata and Eucommia ulmoides against human mast cell (HMC-1). Houttuynia cordata (HC) and Eucommia ulmoides(EU) were extracted with distilled water (at $75^{\circ}C$) and then freeze-dried for 5 days. Finally, the mixture of HC and EU were sterilized by ${\gamma}$-rays irradiation. Cytotoxicity of the mixture against HMC-1 cell was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. In addition, inflammatory mediator cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8 were evaluated by ELISA kit on the HMC-1 cells with calcimycin A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The results showed that mixture of HC and EU had no cytoxicity and reduced TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 response on HMC-1 cells.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2012

This study confirmed the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of natural herbal extracts (HE) including Eucommia ulimoides and Ulmus davidiana against human mast cell (HMC-1). HE was extracted with distilled water (at $75^{\circ}C$) and then freeze-dried for 5 days. Finally, the HE was sterilized by gamma radiation with $^{60}Co$ ${\gamma}$ source at room temperature. Cytotoxicity of the HE against HMC-1 cell was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. In addition, inflammatory cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8 were evaluated by ELISA kit on the HMC-1 cells with calcimycin A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The results showed that HE had no toxicity and reduced $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 response on HMC-1 cells.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2019

In this study, the inhibitory effect of Atriplex gmelinii C. A. Mey. against the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted from phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated HT-1080 cells was evaluated by gelatin zymography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot assay. Specimens of the halophyte A. gmelinii were extracted twice for 24 hr with methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$), and then twice with methanol (MeOH), in turn. Each extract significantly inhibited the enzymatic activities in gelatin zymography and MMP ELISA kit, and expression of MMP-2 and 9 in mRNA and protein levels. Two crude extracts were combined and then the combined crude extracts were fractionated into n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq.MeOH), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and water ($H_2O$) fractions, according to solvent polarity. Among solvent-partitioned fractions, the 85% aq.MeOH fraction showed the strongest inhibitory effect against MMP-2 and -9 in gelatin zymography and MMP ELISA kit. In RT-PCR, all solvent-partitioned fractions significantly suppressed mRNA expression of MMP-2 and -9. On the other hand, in Western blot assay, all solvent-partitioned fractions except $H_2O$ significantly reduced expression levels of protein. HT 1080 cell migration was most significantly inhibited by the n-BuOH fraction followed by the 85% aq.MeOH and $H_2O$ fractions. These results suggest that A. gmelinii could be used as a potential source to inhibit tumor cell metastasis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbiological contamination of fresh vegetables in Korea. Twenty types of vegetables were tested for total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, yeast and mold, and pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Cronobacter sakazakii, Shigella, and Campylobacter. Levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliform on 20 vegetables were between 3.74 and 8.04 log CFU/g, and 0.16 and 5.02 log CFU/g, respectively. The highest contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria were observed on water dropwort, sprouts, mungbean sprout, and ballflower root. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in microbial contamination levels of total aerobic count, coliform, E. coli, yeast and mold between organic and nonorganic vegetables. When isolation methods using selective agars were applied, L. monocytogenes, B. cereus, Salmonella and Campylobacter were isolated from some fresh vegetable samples. Results of API kit tests showed that L. monocytogenes was identified on Chinese cabbage, cucumber, soybean sprouts, and iceberg lettuce while Salmonella was identified on Korean leek. Furthermore, Campylobacter jejuni was also identified in more than 50 of the 100 samples. However, when positive samples from API kit were tested for real-time PCR or 16S rRNA sequencing method, only B. cereus from perilla leaf, carrot, water dropwort, and sprouts showed positive results. These results indicate that selective agar and API kit detection methods might result in false positive results for some pathogens. Therefore, studies need to improve isolation or confirmation methods for such pathogens.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2007

This study for establishment of cultivation technique was carried out in home, Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma lucidum. The mushroom kit allows you to grow some of the mushrooms used by the finest chefs in the world easily and quickly almost anywhere in your own home or office. Mushroom kits may be placed on a coffee table, counter, or desk. They will produce mushrooms virtually anywhere room temperature is maintained. Now we have the opportunity not only to enjoy watching these exotic mushrooms grow but also to enjoy eating the freshest organic mushrooms possible. To study for the possibility of indoor cultivation of P. ostreatus, and G. lucidum, we invested cultivation status with two kinds of sawdust, cotton waste and rice straw in washroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. It took 2~4 days to make primordia formation in a block of P. ostreatus, and G. lucidum was 11 days. Weight of P. ostreatus on cotton waste, rice straw, and willow sawdust were 2,060g, 90g, and 770g, respectively. and weight of G. lucidum on oak sawdust was 172g. Th best result was achieved in washroom, among used washroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Yacon (Samallanthus sonchifolius), a common edible plant grown throughout the world, is well known for its antidiabetic properties. It is also known to have several other pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer effects. To date, the effect of yacon on gliomas has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of yacon on the migration and proliferation of C6 glioma cells stimulated by fetal bovine serum (FBS). MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell growth and proliferation were determined by evaluating cell viability using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. FBS-induced migration of C6 glioma cells was evaluated by performing the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. We also used western blot analysis to determine the expression levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), a major regulator of migration and proliferation of glioma cells. Matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by performing reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: Yacon ($300{\mu}g/mL$) reduced both the FBS-induced proliferation of C6 glioma cells and the dose-dependent migration of the FBS-stimulated C6 cells. FBS-stimulated C6 glioma cells treated with yacon (200 and $300{\mu}g/mL$) showed reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of MMP 9 expression compared to those shown by the untreated FBS-stimulated C6 cells. In contrast, yacon (200 and $300{\mu}g/mL$) induced TIMP-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, we suggest that yacon may exert an anti-cancer effect on FBS-stimulated C6 glioma cells by inhibiting their proliferation and migration. The most likely mechanism for this is down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 and up-regulation of TIMP-1 expression levels.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.137-145
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• 2021

Among the non-precious metal catalysts, iron-nitrogen doped carbon (Fe-N/C) catalysts have been recognized as the most promising candidates for an alternative to Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline and acidic conditions. In this study, the nano replication method using mesoporous silica, which features tunable primary particle sizes and shape, is employed to prepare the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts with different shapes. Platelet SBA-15, irregular KIT-6, and spherical silica particle (SSP) were selected as a template to generate three different kinds of shapes of the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalyst. Physicochemical properties of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts are characterized by using small-angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and scanning electron microscopy images. According to the electrochemical evaluation, there is no morphological preference of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts toward the ORR activity with half-cell configuration under alkaline electrolyte. By implementing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of Fe and N atoms in the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts, it is possible to verify that the activity towards ORR highly depends on the portions of "Fe-N" species in the catalysts regardless of the shape of catalysts. It was suggested that active site distribution in the Fe-N/C is one important factor towards ORR activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 2002

Purpose : Rett syndrome(RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 per 10,000-15,000 female births worldwide. It was initially described by Andreas Rett in 1966. RTT involves developmental regression characterized stereotypic hand movements, tremors, gait apraxia, seizures, deceleration of head growth after the age of 6-18 months. The disease-causing gene was identified as MECP2 on chromosome Xq28. We carried out mutational analysis of MECP2 genes in RTT patients. Methods : Whole blood(5 cc) of 34 sporadic RTT patients was collected in EDTA-anticoagulated tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the E.Z.N.A. blood DNA kit. Four exons of the MECP2 gene were amplified by PCR in 34 Korean with RTT. We carried out PCR divided the exon three into two parts and the exon four into five parts. Primer sequences designed by Amir et al. in 1999 were almost used(AF030876). Sequencing primers used were the same as PCR. DNA sequencing reactions were performed using an ABI 377 DNA sequencer and ABI PRISM dye terminator cycle sequencing reaction kit(Perkin-elmer). The results were compared with the normal DNA sequence(X99686). To confirm the change of sequence on novel mutations, RFLP analysis was performed. Results : The MECP2 mutations were detected in 23(67.6%) of the 34 patients. The mutations consisted of 12 different types including nine missense and three nonsense mutations. Of these, three (L100V, G161E and T311M) mutations were newly identified. Most of the mutations discovered are located within MBD(39.1%) and TRD(39.1%). In this study, three(T158M, R270X, R306C) mutations were identified high frequency. Conclusion : MECP2 gene was also an important cause of Korean RTT patients. MECP2 gene study is an important tool for diagnosis of Korean RTT patients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.315-322
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the functional activities of microorganisms isolated from kochujang, such as fibrinolytic, immunostimulating, and cytotoxical activities, and to apply these microorganisms to kochujang products. Ninety-one microbial strains with proteolytic activity were selected from 294 strains isolated from traditional and commercial kochujang. Three strains (TPP 0014, TPP 6013, and TPP 6015) with high fibrinolytic activity were tested for their immunostimulating and cytotoxical activities. For the assessment of macrophage activation, cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor, $interleukin-1{\alpha}$ and nitrogen oxide were measured with the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. In addition, the cytotoxical activities of the three strains were examined by MTT assay on the colon cancer cell line SNU-C4 and normal cell line CHO-K1. Using an API identifying kit, two of the microbial strains (TPP 0014 and TPP 6015) were identified as Bacillus stearothermophilus and the other strain (TPP 6013) was identified as B. amyloliquefacience.