• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2022

Objectives: Juknyeok (JN) is natural liquor extracted from bamboo stems (Phyllostachys bambusoides) and has been used as a traditional Korean medicine for improving vascular function, blood glucose, and treating stroke. Until now, the JN's lipid-lowering effect and underlying mechanism in adipocytes are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the effect of a standardized commercial JN on lipid accumulation during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: Lipid and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were measured by Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay, respectively. Cell count analysis was used to ascertain 3T3-L1 cytotoxicity. Immunoblotting and Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to assess protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Results: Treatment with JN at 25 𝜇l/ml after pH calibration with 6.35 significantly reduced lipid and TG accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes without significant cytotoxicity. On mechanistic levels, JN markedly suppressed protein expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-𝛽 and fatty acid synthase (FAS) during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. However, JN did not affect the protein expression levels of C/EBP-𝛼, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-𝛽/𝛾, and phosphorylation levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3/5 in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. JN also reduced leptin mRNA expression levels in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Conclusions: JN at 25 𝜇l/ml lowers lipid accumulation and TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells, mediated through the reduced expression levels of C/EBP-𝛽 and FAS.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.469-478
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• 2022

WNT signaling plays an important role in cardiac development, but abnormal activity is often associated with cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, remodeling, and heart failure. The effect of WNT signaling on regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Wnt agonist 1 (Wnta1) on ANP secretion and mechanical dynamics in beating rat atria. Wnta1 treatment significantly increased atrial ANP secretion and pulse pressure; these effects were blocked by U73122, an antagonist of phospholipase C. U73122 also abolished the effects of Wnta1-mediated upregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) β and γ expression, and the PKC antagonist Go 6983 eliminated Wnta1-induced secretion of ANP. In addition, Wnta1 upregulated levels of phospho-transforming growth factor-β activated kinase 1 (p-TAK1), TAK1 banding 1 (TAB1) and phospho-activating transcription factor 2 (p-ATF2); these effects were blocked by both U73122 and Go 6983. Wnta1-induced ATF2 was abrogated by inhibition of TAK1. Furthermore, Wnta1 upregulated the expression of T cell factor (TCF) 3, TCF4, and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1), and these effects were blocked by U73122 and Go 6983. Tak1 inhibition abolished the Wnta1-induced expression of TCF3, TCF4, and LEF1 and Wnta1-mediated ANP secretion and changes in mechanical dynamics. These results suggest that Wnta1 increased the secretion of ANP and mechanical dynamics in beating rat atria by activation of PKC-TAK1-ATF2-TCF3/LEF1 and TCF4/LEF1 signaling mainly via the WNT/Ca²⁺ pathway. It is also suggested that WNT-ANP signaling is implicated in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.390-402
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• 2022

In this study we investigate physical and chemical characteristics of immature and mature skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) roes in fresh and dried forms. Fresh roes were studied for histological structure and also dried by three methods: hot air drying (HD), vacuum drying (VD) and freeze drying (FD). The obtained roe powders were analysed for proximate composition, color value, fatty acid composition, amino acid profile, equivalent umami concentration (EUC) and protein pattern. Unyolked oocytes were more common in immature roes, while fully yolked oocytes were more common in mature roes. All dried tuna roes contained high content of protein and lipid (69.31%-70.55% and 11.14%-16.02%, respectively). The powders obtained by FD provided the highest lightness value (L^*). The main fatty acid found in all roe powders was docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (23.49%-27.02%). Glutamic acid, leucine, and aspartic acid were the three most abundant amino acids found in the powders (13.58-14.61, 8.06-8.42, and 7.81-8.39 g/100 g of protein, respectively). The mature roe powder obtained from HD provided the highest EUC value (73.09 g monosodium glutamate/100 g of samples). The protein band at molecular weight of 97 kDa (vitelline) represented the major protein. Therefore, dried tuna roe could be a functional ingredient source of protein and lipid rich in DHA and it also has potential to be used as taste enhancer with umami compound.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.42.1-42.10
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• 2020

Long-lasting post-switched plasma cells (PCs) arise mainly from germinal center (GC) reactions, but little is known about the mechanism by which GC B cells differentiate into PCs. Based on our observation that the expression of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EPBβ) is associated with the emergence of post-switched PCs, we enquired whether a cell-autonomous function of C/EPBβ is involved in the program for PC development. To address this, we generated C/EPBβ-deficient mice in which the Cebpb locus was specifically deleted in B cells after transcription of the Ig γ1 constant gene segment (Cγ1). In response to in vitro stimulation, B cells from these Cebpb^fl/flCγ1^Cre/+ mice had defects in the induction of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1) and the formation of IgG1⁺ PCs, but not in proliferation and survival. At steady state, the Cebpb^fl/flCγ1^Cre/+ mice had reduced serum IgG1 titers but normal IgG2c and IgM titers. Moreover, upon immunization with T-dependent Ag, the mice produced reduced levels of Ag-specific IgG1 Ab, and were defective in the production of Ag-specific IgG1 Ab-secreting cells. These results suggest that a cell-autonomous function of C/EPBβ is crucial for differentiation of post-switched GC B cells into PCs through a Blimp1-dependent pathway.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2000

An Efficient in vitro regeneration system and an optimized Agrobacterium mediated transformation protocol are described, based on the use of young seedling cotyledons of Capsicum annuum L. Optimal regeneration efficiency can be obtained by cultivating cotyledon explants on media containing 4 mg/L benzyladenine and 0.1 mg/L indolacetic acid. The effect of antibiotics used to eliminate Agrobacteria, as well as the toxic level of some generally used selection agents (kanamycin, geneticin, hygromycin, phosphinotricin and methotrexate) in regenerating pepper tissues were determined. To enable the comparison of different selection markers in identical vector background, a set of binary vectors containing the marker genes for NPTII, HPT, DHFR and BAR respectively, as well as the CaMV 35S promoter/enhancer-GUS chimaeric gene was constructed and introduced into four different Agrobacterium host strains.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of developing transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) for fentanyl used for the management of chronic cancer pain. The effect of type of pressure sensitive adhesive on the permeation of fentanyl from polyisobutylene (PIB), silicone and acrylic adhesive was evaluated. Due to the good adhesive force and relatively steady flux for 3 days, both acrylic and PIB adhesives were chosen for further study. The permeation rate of fentanyl was the highest from acrylic adhesive with hydroxyl functional group. Permeation rate increased linearly as the concentration of fentanyl in acrylic adhesive was increased from 2.5% to 10%. In case of PIB adhesive, crystals of fentanyl were developed above 5% drug load. $Crovol^{(R)}$ A40, $Crovol^{(R)}$ PK40 and Plurol $oleique^{(R)}$ provided higher flux of fentanyl.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.367-376
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• 1987

In this paper we have disigned and implemented a real time ALE (adaptive line enhancer) using a high speed digital processor,NEC 7720. For the ALE system, we have employed an adaptive LMS(least mean square) algorithm proposed by Widrow and Hoff and a 32-order FIR(finite impulse response) filter. Extensive computer simulations have been performed to investigate the peformance of the ALE and to determine necessary parameters for hardware design. The developed software for an NEC 7720 was tested in real time operation using an NEC7720 hardware emulator. The ALE has been tested by sinusoidal waves and real CW (continuous wave) signals. It was found that the experimental results were well agreed with the computer simulation results. Thus it can be concluded that the ALE is useful for detection and enhancement of a sinusoidal signal which is corrupted by an additive Gaussian noise.

• Monthly Korean Chicken
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2012

계사내 공기중의 암모니아 농도 감소 목적으로 식물 기원 소화율 촉진제(phytogenic digestibility enhancer) 사용이 가능하다. 이 소화율 촉진제는 사료 설계 명세서 내 특정 성분(조단백질)을 감소시키고 영양소 이용성을 개선하여 동물생산성을 향상시키기 때문이다. 조단백질 함량이 낮은 사료 급여는 가금에게 적정 요구량 이상 흡수된 단백질(excess protein)의 뇨산(尿酸 : uric acid) 전환에 에너지를 소비하지 않아서 열역학적 이점(熱力學的 利點 : energetic advantage)이 있고, 이 에너지는 유익한 성장에 사용이 가능하도록 존재한다. 더욱이 동물 사료 중 조 단백질 1%는 약 3% 더 많은 물의 섭치가 필요하고, 그 중 80%는 다시 배설되므로 단백질 함량 적정화 사료들(protein optimized diets)은 음수 요구량을 감소시킨다. 이러한 단백질 적정화 사료는 동물 사육업자들에게 관심의 대상으로 명확한 경제적 이득이 발생한다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.81-86
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• 2006

SET (Suppressor of variegation, Enhancer of zeste, and the Trithorax) domain-containing proteins are known to have methyltransferase activity at lysine residues of histone proteins. In this study, we identified a novel SET domain-containing protein from mouse and named Kodo7. Indeed, Kodo7 has methyltransferase activity at K9 residue of the H3 protein as demonstrated by a histone methyl-transferse activity assay using GST-tagged Kodo7. Confocal microscopy showed that Kodo7 is co-localized with histones in the nucleus. Interestingly, ectopic expression of Kodo7 by transient transfection induced cell death and treatment of the transfectants with a caspase-3 inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-AFC decreased Kodo7-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that Kodo7 induces apoptotic cell death through increased methylation of histones leading to transcriptional repression.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.297-302
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• 2010

Ketoprofen is one of the propionic acid class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic effects. The most common side effects from ketoprofen after oral administration are gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and retention of fluid. Ketoprofen was formulated as water-soluble gels to reduce these side effects. To increase the skin permeability of ketoprofen, microsphere containing ketoprofen was prepared with chitosan and ploy-$\varepsilon$-caprolactone. And then prepared microsphere was manufactured as an adhesive hydrogel with polyvinylpyrrolidone K-25, polyethylene glycol 4000, and various permeation enhancers. The flux and permeability of ketoprofen were evaluated. As the concentration of tween 80 and enhancers increased, the flux of ketroprofen was accelerated. Also the permeation rate was facilitated by enhancers, but did not affect the lag time. From these results, the adhesive hydrogel using microsphere could be a good delivery system for ketoprofen to improve the skin permeation.