• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2019

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly know as lemongrass, prossesses strong antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Howerver, its anti-obesity activity remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cymbopogon citratus on adipogenesis, and its underlying mechanism, in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The results demonstrated that ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus effectively suppressed intercellular lipid accumulation at non-toxic concentrations, and was associated with the down-regulation of adipocyte-specific transcription factors, including $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, and phosphorylation of $AMPK{\alpha}$. Furthermore, ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus increased p21 and p21 expression, while the expression of CDK2, cyclin A and cyclin B1 was reduced. As a result, ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus seems to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of 3T3-L1 cells. On the other hand, ERK and Akt signaling pathways were not involved in anti-adipogenesis by ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus. Taken together, theses results suggest that ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and can be used as a safe and efficient natural substance to manage anti-obesity.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.293-303
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: The physiological oxygen tension in fetal brains (~3%, physioxia) is beneficial for the maintenance of neural stem cells (NSCs). Sensitivity to oxygen varies between NSCs from different fetal brain regions, with midbrain NSCs showing selective susceptibility. Data on Hif-1𝛼/Notch regulatory interactions as well as our observations that Hif-1𝛼 and oxygen affect midbrain NSCs survival and proliferation prompted our investigations on involvement of Notch signalling in physioxia-dependent midbrain NSCs performance. Methods and Results: Here we found that physioxia (3% O₂) compared to normoxia (21% O₂) increased proliferation, maintained stemness by suppression of spontaneous differentiation and supported cell cycle progression. Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses identified significant changes of Notch related genes in midbrain NSCs after long-term (13 days), but not after short-term physioxia (48 hours). Consistently, inhibition of Notch signalling with DAPT increased, but its stimulation with Dll4 decreased spontaneous differentiation into neurons solely under normoxic but not under physioxic conditions. Conclusions: Notch signalling does not influence the fate decision of midbrain NSCs cultured in vitro in physioxia, where other factors like Hif-1𝛼 might be involved. Our findings on how physioxia effects in midbrain NSCs are transduced by alternative signalling might, at least in part, explain their selective susceptibility to oxygen.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2014

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hair growth-promoting effect of Clitocybin A from mushroom Clitocybe aurantiaca with dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which play important roles in the regulation of hair cycle. Clitocybin A significantly increased the proliferation of immortalized rat vibrissa DPCs. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Clitocybin A promoted cell-cycle progression through G0/G1 to S phase in immortalized rat vibrissa DPCs. In addition, Clitocybin A increased the level of cell cycle proteins such as cyclin D1, phospho-pRB, and phospho-CDK2. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Clitocybin A on the proliferation of DPCs, we examined the activation of wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling which is known to regulate hair follicle development, differentiation and hair growth. Clitocybin A activated wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling via the increase of phospho(ser552)-${\beta}$-catenin, phospho(ser675)-${\beta}$-catenin and phospho(ser9)-$GSK3{\beta}$. Furthermore, Clitocybin A markedly increased the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results suggest that the Clitocybin A may induce hair growth by proliferation of DPCs via cell-cycle progression as well as the activation of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling and ERK pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2000

Growth factors and the receptors play an important role in the regulation of the growth and development of mammalian cells. In particular, epidermal growth factor is a polypeptide with potent mitogenic activity that stimulates proliferation of various normal and neoplastic cells through the interaction with its specific receptor(EGFR). EGFR has been described as a parameter of poor prognosis in many human neoplasms such as breast, bladder, and vulvar cancers. The objectives of this study are the evaluation of the expression of EGFR and cell cycle analysis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas(SCC), and the evaluation of the correlation between clinico-patholgic features and expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction. 37 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma specimens were evaluated for expression of EGFR by Western blot analysis and S-phase fraction by cell cycle analysis using the flow cytometry. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The expressions of EGFR were observed in 20 specimens(54%) among 37 head and neck SCC specimens. In case of oral SCC, 15 specimens(56%) out of 27 specimens were observed, and in case of nasopharyngeal SCC 5 specimens(50%) out of 10 specimens. 2. There was no correlation between clinical features(location, stage) of head and neck SCC and expression of EGFR (p>0.05). 3. There was a significant correlation between histo-pathological differentiation of head and neck SCC and expression of EGFR (p<0.02). 4. There was a significant correlation between expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction of cell cycle in the head and neck SCC (p<0.05). The above results suggest that expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction of cell cycle are adjunctive prognostic marker in the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2013

Objectives: Whether the ultra-highly-diluted remedies used in homeopathy can effectively bring about modulations of gene expressions through acetylation/deacetylation of histones has not been explored. Therefore, in this study, we pointedly checked if the homeopathically-diluted anti-cancer remedy Condurango 30C (ethanolic extract of Gonolobus condurango diluted $10^{-60}$ times) was capable of arresting the cell cycles in cervical cancer cells HeLa by triggering an epigenetic modification through modulation of the activity of the key enzyme histone deacetylase 2 vis-a-vis the succussed alcohol (placebo) control. Methods: We checked the activity of different signal proteins (like $p21^{WAF}$, p53, Akt, STAT3) related to deacetylation, cell growth and differentiation by western blotting and analyzed cell-cycle arrest, if any, by fluorescence activated cell sorting. After viability assays had been performed with Condurango 30C and with a placebo, the activities of histone de-acetylase (HDAC) enzymes 1 and 2 were measured colorimetrically. Results: While Condurango 30C induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells in vitro and reduced HDAC2 activity quite strikingly, it apparently did not alter the HDAC1 enzyme; the placebo had no or negligible cytotoxicity against HeLa cells and could not alter either the HDAC 1 or 2 activity. Data on $p21^{WAF}$, p53, Akt, and STAT3 activities and a cell-cycle analysis revealed a reduction in DNA synthesis and G1-phase cell-cycle arrest when Condurango 30C was used at a 2% dose. Conclusion: Condurango 30C appeared to trigger key epigenetic events of gene modulation in effectively combating cancer cells, which the placebo was unable to do.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.110-119
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• 2003

The acetylation state of histone is reversibly regulated by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and deacetylase (HDAC). An imbalance of this reaction leads to an aberrant behavior of the cells in morphology, cell cycle, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. Recently, these key enzymes in the gene expression were cloned. They revealed a broad use of this modification, not only in histone, but also other proteins that involved transcription, nuclear transport, and cytoskeleton. These results suggest that HAT/HDAC takes charge of multiple-functions in the cell, not just the gene expression. HDAC is especially known to play an important role in carcinogenesis. The enzyme has been considered a target molecule for cancer therapy. The inhibition of HDAC activity by a specific inhibitor induces growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis of transformed or several cancer cells. Some of these inhibitors are in a clinical trial at phase I or phase II. The discovery and development of specific HDAC inhibitors are helpful for cancer therapy, and decipher the molecular mode of action for HDAC.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.11-17
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• 1974

The present investigation dealt with observation and experiments concerning the growth and differentiation of hop plant, using the varieties of Cascade(C), Shinshuwase(Sh), and Hallertau(H). The results were as follows: (1) Life cycle of hop plants. The annual growth period of hop plant was devided chiefly into 3 phases, dormant, vegetative and reproductive. (2) Growth of main stem. The hop vine begun to grow in the middle of May and grow vigorousely in the middle and latter of June, then gradually decline or stops at the middle of July and the early of August. (3) Growth of lateral vines. By the statistical analysis, it is judged that the varieties of H and Sh were more grown than that of C. H and Sh were not significant, but H and Sh from C were significant in 5% level. (4) Fresh weight and water content of hop cone. Hop cone in fresh weight of C variety was higher than those of other two varieties and water content of hop cone was decreased with time elapse in three races together. (5) Growing point. Histological view of hop varities in each was different. C showed form of sweet potato, H showed form of round, and Sh showed form of ellipse. (6) Shape of the leaf. C and H were 3 lobes, but Sh is 3∼5 lobes. Generally, the color is dark green. (7) Hop cones. Hop cones are as follows.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1998.07a
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• pp.61-70
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• 1998

Genome and chromosome analyses in plants using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immuno-staining (IMS) methods are reviewed by presenting the recent results obtained by the Chromosome Link, a group of chromosome and genome researchers. FISH is now effective to detect unique nucleotide sequences with 153 bp on the extended DNA fibers. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) also allows painting plant chromosomes of different genomes. GISH is quite effective to detect the genomic differentiation in the individual chromosomes within a nucleus. Three dimensional (3D) analyses are now available by confocal microscopy and a deconvolution system. These techniques are invaluable to visualize both the structural and functional dynamics within a nucleus. 3D-FISH revealed the spatial differentiation of different genomees within a nucleus. 3D-FISH also proved structural partition of centromeric and telomeric domains within a barely nucleus. The dynamic acetylation of histone H4 at the specific regions of a genome during a cell cycle is also analyzed using 3D-IMS. It is anticipated that these methods will provide us powerful tools to understand the structural and functional significance of plant chromosomes and genomes.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.63-87
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• 1985

Considerable experience has been reported on the use of spectral data to measure the canopy biomass of dryland grain crops and the use of these estimates to forecast subsequent grain yield. These basic procedures were retested to assess the use of the general process to forecasting grain yield for paddy rice. The use of the ratio of a multiband radiometer simulation of Thematic Mapper band 4(.76 to .90 .mu.m) divided by band 3 (.63 to .69 .mu.m) was tested to estimate the canopy biomass of paddy rice as a function of the stage of development of the rice. The correlation was found to be greatest (R = .94) at panicle differentiation about midway through the development cycle of the rice canopy. The use of this ratio of two spectral bands as a surrogate for canopy biomass was then tested for its correlation against final grain yield. These spectral estimates of canopy biomass produced the highest correlations with final grain yield (R = .87) when measured at the canopy development stages of panicle differentiation and heading. The impact of varying the amounts of supplemental nitrogen on the use of spectral measuremants of canopy biomass to estimate grain yield was also determined. The effect of the development of a significant amount of weed biomass in the rice canopy was also clearly detected.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.271-289
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• 2009

This thesis intend to help the eastern medical doctor to understand body condition from interpretation of perspirations(汗出) in daily time cycle. The conclusion is followed. 1. In most Eastern Medical classic and clinic literatures, the time of fever and perspirations are described as a result of disease's position at human body. Following this description, in daytime the perspirations must come from the Gi phase and night time the perspirations must come from the blood phase. Because in daytime the skin pores are opening and the defensive Gi is going out to the superficial portion of the body. In night time the skin pores are shutting and the defensive Gi is going in to the five solid organs. So a sweat in daytime comes out from the Gi phase and superficial portion of the body. And in night time comes out from the blood phase and five solid organs. But in recent real clinic cases, in daytime, there are so many perspirations from the five solid organs. Comparatively, the perspirations from the superficial portion of body are very little. And in same daytime perspirations, when the heat pathogens mixed with moist, the symptom revelation time delay to the afternoon. Therefore it can be concluded that the time of perspirations are combination of disease's Gi or blood phase and characteristics of pathogens. The position of disease at human body cannot simply judge the symptom revelation time. 2. The exchange of climate following time cycle of a day effect to the condition of human body. At same time it activates or not activates the pathogens in human body. So we can consider the kinds and characteristics of pathogens by distinguishing the symptom revelation time. In general differentiation of syndromes[辨證] pathogen's kinds and location are generally judged. By understanding the characteristics of pathogen, doctor can devise more correct and delicate prescription.