• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.296-304
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• 2016

It has been reported that fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) do not act only as intracellular mediators of lipid responses but also have extracellular functions. This study aimed to investigate whether extracellular liver type (L)-FABP has a biological activity and to determined serum L-FABP levels in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We isolated L-FABP complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) from the Huh7 human hepatocarcinoma cell line and expressed the recombinant L-FABP protein in Escherichia coli. A549 lung carcinoma and THP-1 monocytic cells were stimulated with the human recombinant L-FABP. Human whole blood cells were also treated with the human recombinant L-FABP or interleukin (IL)-1α. IL-6 levels were measured in cell culture supernatants using IL-6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human recombinant L-FABP induced IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner in A549, THP-1 cells, and whole blood cells. The blood samples of healthy volunteers and patients with ESRD were taken after an overnight fast. The serum levels of L-FABP in healthy volunteers and ESRD patients were quantified with L-FABP ELISA. The values of L-FABP in patients with ESRD were significantly lower than those in the control group. Our results demonstrated the biological activity of L-FABP in human cells suggesting L-FABP can be a mediator of inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.510-517
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of eriodictyol compound against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by measuring expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, liver function index enzyme activities, and inhibitory effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. HepG2 cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. In the concentration range of $10{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$, eriodictyol displayed over 98% cell viability in HepG2 cells. The effects of increased gene expression on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress were analyzed by monitoring antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPx) gene expression levels using real-time PCR. Eriodictyol compound significantly increased gene expression levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx in a dose-dependent manner ($10{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$). Hepatoprotective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress were analyzed by monitoring glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities in HepG2 cell culture medium using a biochemistry analyzer. Eriodictyol compound significantly reduced GOT, LDH, and GGT activities in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. ROS level in HepG2 cells was analyzed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence diacetate assay, and eriodictyol compound effectively reduced the intracellular ROS level in HepG2 cells. The results reveal that eriodictyol compound can be useful for development of effective antioxidant and hepatoprotective agents.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.170-176
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• 1999

Objectives: To evaluate the protective effects of glutathione (GSH) on the cytotoxicity of mercurial compounds$(CM_3HgCl,\;HgCl_2)$ or cadmium chloride$(CdCl_2)$ in EMT-6 cells. Methods: The compounds investigated were $CH_3HgCl,\;HgCl_2,\;CdCl_2$, GSH, buthionine Sulfoximine(BSO), L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid(OTC). Cytotoxicity analysis consist of nitric oxide(NO) production, ATP production and cell viability. Results: Mercurial compounds and cadmium chloride significantly decreased cell viability and the synthesis of NO and cellular ATP in EMT-6 cells. GSH was not toxic at concentrations of 0-1.6 mM. In the presence of GSH, mercurial compounds and cadmium did not decrease the production of ATP and nitrite in EMT-6 cells. The protective effects of GSH against the cytotoxicity of mercurial compounds and cadmium depended on the concentration of added GSH to the culture medium for EMT-6 cells. We evaluated the effects of intracellular GSH level on mercury- or cadmium-induced cytotoxicity by the pretreatment experiments. Pretreatment of GSH was not changed ${NO_2}^-$ and ATP production, and pretreatment of BSO was decreased in dose and time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of OTC was increased ${NO_2}^-$ and ATP production in dose- and tine-dependent manner. Because intracellular GSH level was increased by OTC pretreatment, the protective effect on mercury- and cadmium-induced cytotoxicity was increased. Conclusions: These results indicated that sulfhydryl compounds had the protective effects against mercury-induced cytotoxicity by the intracellular GSH levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.452-463
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• 2020

Purpose: Aster tataricus (AT) is one of the Asteraceae perennial herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The herb contains various bioactive substances, such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic compounds in the roots, and exhibits a range of effects including anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study compared the immunomodulatory effects of ethanol and water extracts of whole AT, except the roots, and analyzed the molecular mechanisms for the regulatory effects on cytokine secretion from THP-1 cells. Methods: The effects of AT extract on the cell viability and proliferation of THP-1 cells were analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 method. The concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell culture supernatant of the AT-treated THP-1 cells were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the cell lysates were determined by western blotting. Results: The water extract and the ethanol extract of AT did not affect the cell viability, and increased the proliferation of THP-1 cells significantly compared to the vehicle. The water extract increased the secretion of IL-1β from THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the ethanol extract had no effect. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and the phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt were induced in AT-treated cells. In addition, IκBα was degraded by AT in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-1β secretion by AT was reduced by extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors, while TNF-α secretion was decreased by inhibitors of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Interestingly, the p38 MAPK inhibitor increased the production of IL-1β by AT further. Conclusion: The water extract of the above-ground parts of AT contains immunomodulatory bioactive substances that stimulate immune cells through the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1047-1059
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• 1998

Senile Dementia is one of the dispositional mental disorder which has been known to the world since Hippocratic age. It has become a wide-spread social problem all over the world because of chronic disease processes and the demands of dependent care for several years as well as improbability of treatment of it at the causal level. Essentially, life styles of the older generation differ from those of the younger generation. While the fomer is used to the patriarchal system and the spirit of filial piet and respect, the latter is pragmatized and individualized under the effects of the Western material civilization. These differences between the two generations cause conflict between family members. In particular, the pain and conflict of care-givers who take care of a totally dependent dementia patient not only is inciting to the collapse of the family union, but is expanding into a serious social problem. According to this practical difficulty, this study has tried to compare dementia care-givers' experiences inter-culturally and to help set up more proper nursing interventions, describing and explaining them through ethnographies by participant observation and in-depth interviews that enable seeing them in a more close, honest and certain way. It also tries to provide a theoetical model of nusing care for dementia patients which is proper to Korean culture. This study is composed of 12 participants (4 males, 8 females) whose ages range from 37-71 years. The relations of patients are 5 spouses(3 husbands, 2 wives), 4 daughters-in-law, 2 daughters, and 1 son-in-law. The following are the care-givers' meaning of experiences that results of the study shows. The first is "psychological conflict". It contains the minds of getting angry, reproaching, being driven to dispair, blaming oneself, giving up lives, and being afraid, hopeless, and resigned. The second is "physical, social and psychological pressure" . At this stage, care-givers are shown to be under stress of both body and soul for the lack of freedom and tiredness. They also feel constraint because they hardly cope with the care and live through others' eyes. The third is "isolation". It makes the relationship of patient care-giver to be estranged, without understanding each other. They, also, experience indifference such as being upset and left alone. The forth is "acceptance" They gradually have compassion, bear up and then adapt themselves to the circumstances they are in. The fifth is "love". Now they learn to reward the other with love. It is also shown that this stage contains the process of winning others' recognition. The final is "hope". In this stage they really want situations to go smoothly and hope everything will be O.K. These consequences enable us to summarize the principles of cue experience such as, in the early stage, negative response such as physical·psychological confusion, pain and conflict are primary. Then the stage of acceptance emerges. It is an initial positive response phase when care-givers may admit their situations. As time passes by a positive response stage emerges. At last they have love and hope. Three stages we noted above : however, there are never consistent situations. Rather it gradually comes into the stage of acceptance, repeating continuous conflict, pressure and isolation. If any interest and understanding of families or the support of surrounding society lack, it will again be converted to negative responses sooner or later. Otherwise, positive responses like hope and love can be encouraged if the family and the surroundings give active aids and understanding. After all, the principles of dementia care experiences neither stay at any stage, nor develop from negative stages to positive stages steadily. They are cycling systems in which negative responses and positive responses are constantly being converted. I would like to suggest the following based on the above conclusions : First, the systematic and planned education of dementia should be performed in order to enhance public relations. Second, a special medical treatment center which deals with dementia, under government's charge, should be managed. Third, the various studies approaching dementia care experiences result in the development of more reasonable and useful nursing guidelines.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2010

Components of dental resin-based restorative materials are reported to leach from the filling materials even after polymerization. Hydroquinone (HQ) is one of the major monomers used in the dental resin and is known as a carcinogen. Thus, carcinogenic risk of HQ leaching from the dental resin becomes a public health concern. The present study attempted to examine the carcinogenic potentials of HQ on the human epithelial cell, which is the target cell origin of the most of oral cancers. Cytotoxicity of HQ was observed above 50${\mu}M$ as measured by LDH assay, indicating a relatively low toxicity of this substance in human epithelial cells. The parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation such as cell saturation density, soft agar colony formation and cell aggregation were analyzed to examine the carcinogenic potential of HQ. The study showed that 2-week exposure of HQ showed the tendency of increase in the saturation density and the significant enhancement of soft agar colony formation at the highest dose, 50 ${\mu}M$ only. It is suggested that HQ has a weak potential of carcinogenicity. When cells were treated with HQ and TPA, a well-known tumor promoter, the parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation was significantly increased. This result indicates that the potential risk of carcinogenicity from HQ is largely dependent upon the presence of promoter. Exposure of 50 ${\mu}M$ HQ increased the time-dependent apoptosis as measured by the ELISA kit. This concentration coincides with a dose of neoplastic transformation, indicating a possible link between apoptosis and HQ-induced cellular transformation. Hydroquinone generated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which was evidenced by the treatment of antioxidants such as trolox and N-acetyl cysteine and the GSH depleting agent, BSO. Antioxidants blocked the generation of ROS and the GSH depleting agent, BSO dramatically increased the ROS production. Since HQ is known to increase ROS production thru activation of transcriptional factor such as c-Myb and Pim-1, it is speculated that ROS generation by HQ plays a role in the activation of oncogene, which may lead to neoplastic transformation. In addition, ROS is involved in the alteration of signal transduction, which regulates the apoptosis in many cellular systems. Thus, ROS-mediated apoptosis may be involved in the HQ-induced carcinogenic processes. Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play pivotal roles in neoplastic transformation of cells and its high expression is often found in a variety of types of tumors including oral cancer. PKC translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ was observed following HQ exposure. Altered signaling system may also play a role in the transformation process. Taken together, HQ leached from the dental resin does not pose a significant threat as a cancer causing agent, but its carcinogenic potential can be significantly elevated in the presence of promoter. The mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis involved ROS generation, apoptosis and altered signaling pathway. The present study will provide a valuable data to estimate the potential risk of HQ as a carcinogen and understand mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cells.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.81-97
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• 2000

Objectives: This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effects of aqueous and methanol extracts of Hedyotis diffusa which has long been used for cancer treatment in oriental medicines on the induction of apoptotic cell death in human lymphoid leukemia cell line, HL-60. Methods: Cells were treated with various concentrations (200 to $0.4{\mu}g$) and periods (6 to 30 hr) of $H_2O$ and methanol extracts of Hedyotis diffusa. Then, cells were tested for viability by MTT assay. Cells wrere treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of methanol extract fork various periods. Genomic DNA was isolated, separated, on 1.5% agarose gels, stained with ethidium bromide and visualized under UV light. Cells were treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of each extract for 16 hr. Then, cells were treated with Hoechst dye 33342 and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Cells were treated with various doses of each for 12 hr and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of methanol extract for various periods. Lysate from the cells used to measure the activity of Caspase-1 and-3 proteases by using fluorogenic peptide substrates including acetyl-YVAD-AMC and acetyl-DEVD-AMC, respectively. Cells were treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of each extract for various periods. Cell lysates were immunoprecipated with anti-JNKl antibodies. The immune complex was reacted with $32^p-ATP$ and c-Jun as a substrate. The phosphotransferase activity of JNKI was measured by using PhosphoImage analyzer (Fuji Co., Japan). Nuclear extracts were isolated and incubated with oligonucleotide probe of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Transcriptional activation of ${\kappa}B$ was measured by using EMSA and visualized by PhosphoImage analyzer (Fuji Co, Japan). Cell lysates were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting with anti-Bc12 antibodies and anti-Bax antibodies. Cells were pretreated with various doses of methanol extract for 2 hr. Then, the extract was removed by centrifugation. Cells were resuspended with RPMI-1640 media containing 0.3% agarose, 10% FBS, overlayred onto bottom layer agarose and incubated at $CO_2$ incubator for 6 days. The number of colony was counted under light microscopy ($\time100$). Results: The death of HL-60 cells was markedly induced by the addition of methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa in a dose and time-dependent manners. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was observed in death of HL-60 cells. In addition, it was shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under Hoechst staining. Therefore, Hedyotis diffusa extract-induced death of HL-60 cells is mediated by apoptotic signaling processes. The activity of Caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HL-60 cells treated with aqueous extract of Hedyotis diffusa. However, it was markedly increased in HL-60 cells treated with methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. In addition, the phosphotransferase activity of JNKl was increased in HL-60 cells treated with methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. Furthermore, the activation of transcriptional activator, $NF-{\kappa}B$ was markedly induced by methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. Anti-apoptotic Bc12 was cleaved into 23Kda fragment by treatment of methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. However, expression of proapoptotic Bax protein was increased by treatment of methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, methanol extract markedly inhibited the colony forming efficiency of HL-60 cells in semisolid agar culture. Conclusions: Above results suggest that methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa induces the apoptotic death of human leukemic HL-60 cells via activations of Caspase-3 proteases, JNKI, transcriptional activator $NF-{\kappa}B$, In addition, our results also suggest that methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa reduces the malignant potential of HL-60 cells via down regulation of colony forming effciency through cleavage of Bc12 as well as induction of Bax.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.484-490
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• 2015

Thirty-eight Pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes were screened to identify varieties to be suitable for sprout. Based on seed yield and sprout qualities such as whole length and sprout yield, five genotypes (PI269803, PI343278, PI343283, PI343300 and PI 343307) were primarily selected as candidates for pea sprouts. In order to determine optimal cultivation condition for pea sprouting, growth characteristics were investigated according to the change of germination temperature and days for sprouting. Whole length and hypocotyl length were observed to increase as a time dependent manner at each tested temperature (20, 23, and $25^{\circ}C$). However, whole length, hypocotyl length, and sprout yield were highly increased at $23^{\circ}C$ compared to 20 and $25^{\circ}C$. Especially, PI269803 and PI343300 showed higher sprout yield than the others. In addition, the effect of the change of germination temperature on antioxidant properties was estimated by measuring total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABST activity). TPC and DPPH/ABST activities of PI269803 and PI343300 were higher at $23^{\circ}C$ than at 20 and $25^{\circ}C$, while antioxidant properties of PI343278 and PI343283 were decreased in a temperature-dependent manner. The results show a high degree of correlation between TPC and antioxidant activities and suggest that the temperature change for pea sprouting could be responsible for antioxidant properties. Taken together, these results provide optimal cultivation conditions for pea sprouting and suggest that PI269803 and PI343300 with high sprout yield and antioxidant properties could be used for pea sprouts.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

This work describes the characteristics of $Malassezia$ $pachydermatis$ isolated from dog ear canals and the effect of essential oils on the growth of this organism. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect specimens from the external ear canal and culture tests were performed to detect the population size of $Malassezia$ yeast. Using three different isolation media, included Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) to isolate common $M.$ $pachydermatis$, and SDA supplemented with olive oil (SDAO) and Leeming's medium (LM) to detect lipophilic yeast, $Malassezia$ spp were isolated from 14 of 18 dogs (77.8%); isolation rates were 33.3% in SDA, 72.2% in SDAO and 66.7% in LM media. All $Malassezia$ spp isolates were identified as $M.$ $pachydermatis$ according to results of PCR amplification, but gross colony morphology and SDA growth rates suggested four different subtypes. Large (LC) and medium colony (MC) types respectively describe large colony (diameter > 3 mm) and medium colony (around 2 mm) after 72 hour incubation, and small (SC) type refers to smaller colony (< 1 mm) even after 5 days incubation; lipid dependent colonies did not grow onto SDA. Large Colony type strains were isolated from 4, 11, and 11 samples, MC type strains from 2, 3 and 1 and SC type strains from 1, 2 and 1 in SDA, SDAO and LM, respectively. Lipid-dependent $M.$ $pachydermatis$ (Lipo) were isolated from 3 samples each in SDAO and LM. Anti-$M.$ $pachydermatis$ activity testing was done using disc-diffusion assays and well diffusion tests. Most essential oils inhibited the growth of $M.$ $pachydermatis$ in a range from 0.5% to 1.0% of essential oils. MIC90 and MIC50 were variable depending upon the nature of essential oils. Thyme oil was found to be highly effective in inhibiting the growth of $M.$ $pachydermatis$ in a range from 0.125% to 0.0625% while marjoram and then tea tree oil exhibited lower inhibitory capacity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2014

To characterize novel biologically-active ingredients in traditional Korean soy sauces, polysaccharide fractions were isolated from two different soy sauces made either commercially (CSP-0) or through a traditional Korean process (KTSP-0), after which their intestinal immune-modulating activities were examined. CSP-0 and KTSP-0 showed enhanced production of interleukine-6 (IL-6) in culture supernatant of Peyer's patch cells. However, KTSP-0 activity was more potent than that of CSP-0. Only KTSP-0 increased in vitro immunoglobulin A (IgA) production by Peyer's patch cells in a dose-dependent manner. KTSP-0 also showed the higher bone marrow cell proliferation activity through Peyer's patch cells than that of the CSP-0 group. To investigate the in vivo effects on the intestinal immune system, CSP-0 and KTSP-0 were administered orally to four experimental groups of mice (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/mouse/day, 30 days). Oral administration of CSP-0 and KTSP-0 induced IgA production by Peyer's patch cells and increased IgA excretion into mouse stools in a dose-dependent manner. Peyer's patch cells from the mice administered both CSP-0 and KTSP-0 showed significantly higher IL-6 production than that of the untreated or CSP-0 groups. However, oral administration of KTSP-0 was more effective at the same dosage. KTSP-0 administration augmented IL-6 content in mouse sera, whereas CSP-0 did not show any effect on IL-6 induction. The above data lead us to conclude that the intestinal immune-stimulating activities of polysaccharides from Korean traditional soy sauce are much better than those of commercial ones.