• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.409-416
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• 2009

Acute pancreatitis is a multifactorial disease associated with the premature activation of digestive enzymes. The genes expressed in pancreatic acinar cells determine the severity of the disease. The present study determined the differentially expressed genes in pancreatic acinar cells treated with cerulein as an in vitro model of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatic acinar AR42J cells were stimulated with $10^{-8}$ M cerulein for 4 h, and genes with altered expression were identified using a cDNA microarray for 4,000 rat genes and validated by real-time PCR. These genes showed a 2.5-fold or higher increase with cerulein: lithostatin, guanylate cyclase, myosin light chain kinase 2, cathepsin C, progestin-induced protein, and pancreatic trypsin 2. Stathin 1 and ribosomal protein S13 showed a 2.5-fold or higher decreases in expression. Real-time PCR analysis showed time-dependent alterations of these genes. Using commercially available antibodies specific for guanylate cyclase, myosin light chain kinase 2, and cathepsin C, a time-dependent increase in these proteins were observed by Western blotting. Thus, disturbances in proliferation, differentiation, cytoskeleton arrangement, enzyme activity, and secretion may be underlying mechanisms of acute pancreatitis.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2015

The secretion of melatonin exhibits a circadian rhythm entrained with the sleep-wake cycle. An alteration of this secretory rhythm has been found in various psychiatric disorders. This review summarizes the regulation of melatonin and its relationship to the circadian rhythm, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, Alzheimer's disease and autism. The review also looks at the effect of melatonin and melatonin agonist on sleep and symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder. In Alzheimer's disease, the circadian rhythm alterations are associated with the change of melatonin levels and melatonin receptors. It has been reported that melatonin and melatonin synthetic enzyme levels decrease in autism spectrum disorder.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.473-477
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• 2011

Periodontitis is a very prevalent disease. Therefore, biomarkers for the early and standard diagnoses of periodontitis are urgently needed. TACE is a membrane-bound metalloprotease. Although a recent study suggested that TACE levels in GCF are elevated during periodontal disease, the levels of TACE in GCF at different stages of chronic periodontitis have not been determined. Here, we analyzed the protein levels of TACE in GCF from periodontal disease subjects and confirmed that the protein levels of TACE were higher in the moderate periodontitis groups. TACE is known to be a NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand that stimulates RANKL secretion in osteoblasts. To understand the effects of TACE on RANKL and OPG in osteoblasts, we treated MG63 cells with TACE. We observed an increase in RANKL protein expression but a decrease in OPG protein expression. Our data suggest that TACE can induce RANKL expression and promote osteoclastogenesis, thus worsening the outcome of periodontitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1294-1302
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• 2019

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), one of the gut peptide hormones, has an action to induce satiety, and its effect as an anti-obesity agent is known. Recently, it has been reported that many herbal medicines have an anti-diabetic effect through inhibition of DPP-4 enzyme and inducing of GLP-1 secretion. It is therefore suggested that GLP-1 may be effective for the treatment of obesity. In this study, we report a case of male obese patients treated with herbal medicine as a GLP-1 secretagogue. Methods: In this study, the patient took a fixed prescription of herbal medicine for 10 weeks and recorded his weight at each visit. Results: This prescription produced significant weight loss (BMI loss>5%). In the follow-up period after two weeks, the trend of weight loss was observed continuously. Conclusion: This prescription can be an alternative to ephedra herba-based obesity treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1324-1329
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of the transformed Lactobacillus reuteri Pg4 (T-Pg4) harboring the ${\beta}$-glucanase gene as a poultry probiotic. The probiotic properties of the T-Pg4 strain were evaluated in vitro by their adherence capability and acid and bile salt tolerance, and were evaluated in vivo by their survival and adhesion in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The results showed that the T-Pg4 strain exhibited resistance to acidic conditions and contact with bile salt, and adhered efficiently to the crop and intestinal epithelial cells of chickens in vitro. The T-Pg4 strain also could survive and colonize the gastrointestinal epithelium of the experimental SPF chickens in vivo. In addition, radial enzyme diffusion was used to demonstrate that the Lactobacillus spp. randomly isolated from the GIT of the SPF chickens fed T-Pg4 possessed ${\beta}$-glucanase secretion capability. These findings have demonstrated that the transformed L. reuteri Pg4 survives transit through the stomach and intestine, and may secrete ${\beta}$-glucanase in the chicken GIT. Therefore, it is suggested that this organism could be used as a multifunctional poultry probiotic.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 2006

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), otherwise known as interferon-gamma-inducing factor (IGIF), is one of several well characterized and important cytokines that contribute to host defenses. The complementary DNA (cDNA) of mature human interleukin-18 gene (hIL-18) was fused with the signal peptide of the rice amylase 1A gene (Ramy1A) and introduced into the plant expression vector under the control of a duplicated CaMV 35S promoter. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Havana) using the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. The integration of the hlL-18 gene into the genome of transgenic tobacco plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and its expression was observed in the suspension cells that were derived from the transgenic plant callus by using Northern blot analysis. The hlL-18 protein was detected in the extracts of the transgenic callus and in the medium of the transgenic tobacco suspension culture by using immunoblot analysis. Based upon enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) results, the expression level of the hlL-18 protein approximated $166{\mu}g/L$ in the suspension culture medium. Bioassay results from the induction of $interferon-{\gamma}$ from a KG-1 cell line indicated that the hlL-18 secreted into the suspension culture medium was bioactive.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1597-1602
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• 2010

Chitinase is one of the most important mycolytic enzymes with industrial significance. This enzyme is produced by a number of organisms including bacteria. In this study, we describe the optimization of media components with increased production of chitinase for the selected bacteria, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, isolated from soil. Different components of the defined media responsible for influencing chitinase secretion by the bacterial isolate were screened using Plackett-Burman experimental design and were further optimized by Box-Behnken factorial design of response surface methodology in liquid culture. Maximum chitinase production was predicted in medium containing 4.94 g/l chitin, 5.56 g/l maltose, 0.62 g/l yeast extract, 1.33 g/l $KH_2PO_4$, and 0.65 g/l $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ using response surface plots and the point prediction tool of the DESIGN EXPERT 7.1.6 (Stat-Ease, USA) software.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.607-614
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• 1996

Several methods for rapid and accurate detection of VTe-producing E coli were established. These methods contain beta-glucuronidase-secretion test, beta-haemolysis-production test in blood agar, verocytotoxicity test, and PCR. All of the VTe-producing strains made beta-haemolysis on 5% sheep blood agar. VTe-producing strains secreted beta-glucuronidase whereas 0157:H7 strains producing VTI or VTII did not secrete that enzyme. Verocytotoxicity test was established for rapid diagnosis. VTe detection was rapider in Vero cell suspension than Vero cell monolayer. In PCR, there was a positive result only in VTe-producing E coli, not in VTI or VTII-producing E coli. In this experiment, 165 strains of E coli were islated from feces or intestinal contents of post-weaning piglets showing nervous sign or diarrhea. And 20 strains of E coli that produced VTe were selected by verocytotoxicity test and PCR. According to these experiments, there was a direct correlation between verocytotoxicity test and PCR. And verocytotoxicity test is recommended as a routine diagnostic method and PCR does as a accurate diagnostic method to detect VTe-producing E coli.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2002

Ecophysiologically diapause represents a syndrome of physiological and biochemical characteristics, all of which ensure survival during a long period of dormancy. Since, silkworm enters diapause as embryo at the early embryonic stage, the duration of egg life depends on the duration of embryonic diapause. The nature of diapause in silkworm, Bombyx mori, is primarily determined by genetic characters and endocrinologicnl mechanisms, mediated by environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod. Hibernating potency value besides nucleic acid and carbohydrate metabolism, production and utilization of sorbitol are also equally responsible for induction, initiation, determination, maintenance and termination of diapause. Embryonic diapause in Bombyx moir, induced by active secretion of sub-oesophageal ganglion is attributed to hormonal system and metabolic adjustment, which serves to bring about a new physiological state. Metabolic conversion of trehalose to glycogen at induction, glycogen to sorbitol at initiation and sorbitol to glycogen at termination of diapause is correlated and in each metabolic shift a key enzyme becomes active in response to hormonal and environmental stimulation. An attempt has been made in this review article to discuss briefly the nature of embryonic diapause, influence of various factors on diapause nature, hormonal mechanism of diapause besides biochemical composition of egg, nucleic acid and carbohydrate metabolism, production and utilization of sorbitol in relation to induction, determination, maintenance, initiation and termination of diapause in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.68-81
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• 2003

It is proposed that Hwang-Ryeon-Hae-Dok-Tang may modulate the immune response on allergy or asthma. Human nasal mucosal fibroblasts are a rich source cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and chemokines. Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of infection, which is essential in host defense. Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Hwang-Ryeon-Hae-Dok-Tang(HH) on the release of the IL-8 chemokine in human nasal mucosal fibroblasts after stimulation with cytokines like interleukin-4(IL-4), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF- ), interferon- (lFN- ), and interle ukin-l (IL-I ). Methods : To detect the release of IL-8, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kit was performed. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay. Results : HH significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-8 with a dose-dependant manner. The effective dosage did not have the cytotoxicity on human nasal mucosal fibroblasts Conclusions : Results of our study show that HH would play an important role in modulation of IL-8 in human nasal mucosal fibroblasts.