• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.12
• /
• pp.1305-1313
• /
• 2019

Licochalcone (LC), isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata has multiple pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. To date, Licochalcone C (LCC) has induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation in oral and bladder cancer cells, but lung cancer has not yet been studied. In addition, no study reported LCC-induced autophagy in cancer until now. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of LCC on gefitinib-sensitive and -resistant lung cancer cells and elucidate the mechanism of its action. The 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay data showed that LCC significantly inhibited cell viability in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) HCC827 (gefitinib-sensitive) and HCC827GR (gefitinib-resistant) cell lines. Interestingly, Annexin V/7-aminoactinomycin D double staining and cell cycle analysis showed an apoptosis rate within about 20% at the highest concentration of LCC. LCC induced G2/M arrest by reducing the expression of the cell cycle G2/M related proteins cyclin B1 and cdc2 in NSCLC cell lines. Treatment of LCC also induced autophagy by increasing the expression of the autophagy marker protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and the protein autophagy-related gene 5 involved in the autophagy process. In addition, LCC increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the cell viability was partially restored by treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In western blotting analysis, the expression of cdc2 was increased and LC3 was decreased by the simultaneous treatment of NAC and LCC. These results indicate that LCC may contribute to anti-tumor effects by inducing ROS-dependent G2/M arrest and autophagy in NSCLC. In conclusion, LCC treatment may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent against NSCLC.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.112
• /
• pp.196-206
• /
• 2005

The fish community in the mid-upper region of Gam Stream was examined seasonally from 2001 to 2003 in order to perform an environmental impact assessment prior to a construction of Gamcheon Multipurpose Dam. Additional investigation was conducted in August 2004 to confirm the fish fauna reported and to examine the ecological characteristics of Zacco temminckii population. The total number of fish caught from the study sites was 1,081 fish representing 5 families 14 species. There were 6 Korean endemic species including Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, Liobagrus mediadiposalis, Coreoperca herzi and Odontobutis platycephala, but no endangered or vulnerable species were found. Length-weight relation, condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kn) of Zacco temminckii were compared by the study sites and stream. The equations based on length-weight relation in Buhang and Gam Streams were TW\;=\;0.000004TL^{3.2357}$ and TW\;=\;0.000002TL^{3.3566}$, respectively indicating the fish in Gam Stream became more rotund as length increases. The condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kn) against total length of Zacco temminckii at two streams indicated that the fish (>70 mm) in Cam Stream (mean K and Kn= 1.116, 1.21 respectively) had better nutritional condition than those in Buhang Stream (mean K and Ln = 1.046, 1.14 respectively). The results were corresponded with natural disturbances such as drought and intensive rainfall from 2001 to 2003 followed by human activities such as stream repair works. Therefore, it is considered to perform environmental impact assessment with not only confirmation of fish composition but also examination of ecological characteristics in population- level.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.309-322
• /
• 2018

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural weathering and human activities. It is proved that inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to increase risk of developing several diseases such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The parent rocks of asbestos have been mainly associated with (ultra)mafic and carbonate rock. The previous studies on NOA were mainly limited to (ultra)mafic rock-hosted asbestos, but studies on carbonate rock-hosted asbestos are relatively rare in S. Korea. Therefore, this study was aimed to examine mineralogical characteristics of carbonate rock-hosted NOA at three sites including Muju and Jangsu, Jeonbuk province and Asan, Chungnam province. Types of rocks at the three sites mainly consisted of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks, carbonate rock, and Cretaceous and Jurassic granites. Asbestos-containing carbonate rock samples were obtained for mineralogical characterization. XRD, PLM, EPMA, SEM and EDS analyses were used to characterize mineralogical characteristics of the carbonate rock-hosted NOA. From the carbonate rock, fibrous minerals were occurred acicular and columnar forms in the three sites. Fibrous minerals were composed of mainly tremolite and associated minerals included possibly asbestos containing materials (ACM) such as talc, vermiculite, and sepiolite. The length and aspect ratios of tremolite were similar to the standard asbestiform (length >$5{\mu}m$, length:width = 3:1). These results indicate that both non-asbestiform and asbestiform tremolite with acicular forms occurred in carbonate rocks at three sites. Geological and geochemical characteristics and mineral assemblages indicate tremolite and associated minerals might be formed by hydrothermal alternation and/or hydrothermal veins of carbonate rocks due to intrusion of acidic igneous rocks.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.583-594
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey on the senses that preliminary dental hygienists have on employment, who applied for the National Dental Hygienist Examination, so that it could provide a basic reference required for fostering good human resources specializing in oral health with a sense of mission and responsibility as professional. To meet these goals, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for participants in a refresher education meeting for preliminary dental hygienists across three major regions(Seoul, Daejeon and Busan), which was held by the Korean Dental Hygienists Association(KDHA) on Jan. 15, 2006. Total 289 sheets of questionnaire were collected, and 262 sheets except invalid or incomplete ones were used for examination and analysis. As a result, this study came to the following conclusions: First, it was found that 40.4% respondents wanted to be employed in dental clinic or hospital. Most respondents(90.1%) answered that faithfulness is most valued as prerequisite qualification for employment in hospital, and highest percentage of respondents(39.3%) wanted to earn 16 to 17 million Korean won annually. For internship opportunities, 61.9% respondents replied that they could willingly accept the internship, provided that basic pay and switchover to regular employee are all assured. Second, as the results of survey on employment circumstances around respondents, it was found that most respondents(58.3%) were employed in dental clinic or hospital, and highest percentage of respondents(35.0%) earned 15 to 16 million Korean won. Third, it was found that interpersonal relationships among employees had most significant effects(4.81) on selection of employment, which was followed by in-house welfare benefits 1(monthly/annual vacation, resting room, etc; 4.56). For possible influential factors on the selection of employment depending on whether employed or not, it was found that there were Significant differences in pay, welfare benefit 2(seminar, orientation, refresher training opportunities, etc), post-wedding continued employment and merit system between employees and non-employees(pE0.05). Fourth, the survey on respondents' occupational senses of dental hygienist showed that major tasks of dental hygienists were represented by oral disease prevention(92.6%), case management(71.5%), oral health education(66.3%), hospital/clinic management and dental management support(10.4%) and public oral health activities(6.7%) respectively. For job satisfaction, it was found that almost half respondents(48.9%) showed satisfaction at their job and 32.6% felt satisfied at and proud of their job. That is, majority of respondents(81.5%) felt satisfied at their job as dental hygienist. For follow-up requirements to qualify for dental hygienists, it was found that 73.3% felt it necessary to give more investments to self-development, 62.2% respondents considered protection of membership's rights as one of future assignments that KDHA should be more committed to. For future social awareness about dental hygienists as occupation, 69.2% respondents expected that they would be better developed and treated as professional. And desired training courses as a part of qualification for professional dental hygienists were represented by case management(services, manners, etc; 33.3%), implant(28.9%), esthetics(correction, prosthesis, whitening; 18.9%) and so on. For an item on working years, it was noted that 75.9% respondents would keep working as dental hygienists as long as they could.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2012

In this study, the evaluation of antioxidative activity and componential analysis of C. obtusa leaf extracts was carried out. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of C. obtusa leaf extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction ($OSC_{50}$; 0.22 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts (0.20 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed about 7 times more prominent ROS scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid (1.50 ${\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of fractions obtained from C. obtusa leaf extracts on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts showed the cellular protective effects in a concentration dependent manner (5~25 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction on tyrosinase exhibited 74.43 and 53.80 ${\mu}g/mL$, repectively. The aglycone fraction showed four times higher tyrosinase inhibitory effect than arbutin (226.88 ${\mu}g/mL$), known as a whitening agent. The aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts showed three bands in TLC chromatogram and three peaks in HPLC chromatogram (360 nm). Three compounds were identified as taxifolin, quercetin and kaempferol. These results indicate that the fractions of C. obtusa leaf extracts can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against reactive oxygen species. The fractions of C. obtusa leaf extracts can be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antioxidan and whitening effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.522-527
• /
• 2008

Low molecular peptides were isolated from Asterias amurensis via SDS-PAGE. The peptides were separated via consecutive gel filtration as five fractions (F1-F5) according to molecular weights, based on the results of MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The molecular weight of the most active peptide was estimated as 15,000 daltons. The peptide showed cytotoxicity on normal human fibroblast cells at levels as low as 20% when 1.0 mg/mL of the samples was added. The peptide also exhibited higher levels of nitric oxide production from macrophages than the lipopolysaccaharides. It was determined that prostaglendin $E_2$ production was significantly inhibited, up to 127.8% as compared to the control. The low molecular peptide inhibited hyaluronidase activity as 535.7 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $IC_{50}$. It can be concluded that the relatively low molecular weight peptide, fucoidan, from A. amurensis has excellent cosmetic and immunomodulatory activities, which can be considered as a possible resource of new cosmetic agents for skin immunomodulation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.60-67
• /
• 2012

BACKGROUND: Anthracnose disease caused by Collectotrichum spp. is one of the most important worldwide devastating diseases in red pepper plants. Fungicides using plant extracts have several advantages, compared to synthetic chemical fungicides, because they are naturally occurring compounds, are usually safe for agricultural environment and are used for producing highly valuable agricultural products. Efforts for seeking an anti-fungal activities using naturally occurring compounds were mostly conducted from medicinal plant extracts. Sap of Rhus verniciflus was known to have healing effects on several human diseases. Recently, the extracts of Rhus verniciflus were actively tested for anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, and anti-fungal effects. In this study, the extract of Rhus verniciflus was tested for anti-fungal activity against Colletotrichum spp., which cause anthracnose in red-pepper. METHODS AND RESULTS: After neutralizing extracts of Rhus verniciflus (urushiol contents 70%) with autoclave, the crude extracts were used to investigate inhibitory effects for mycelial growth and spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. on PDA media. The mycelial growth and spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. were inhibited 18-39% and over 50% in response to crude extract of R. verniciflus (1.0 mg/mL). After spraying the extracts at the same concentrations above and then artificially inoculating Colletotrichum spp. on blue and red-pepper fruits, in vitro inhibition effects were examined. At 1.0 mg/mL, the crude extract of R. verniciflus showed inhibition activity in anthracnose incidence on blue- and red-pepper as 68.1-75.0%, through a artificial inoculation of Colletotrichum spp. in a laboratory. For in vivo inhibitory effects, the extracts (1.0, 0.1, and 0.01 mg/mL) were treated on red-pepper plants grown in green house 3 times at the interval of 1 week. Then inhibitory effects were determined by counting diseased fruits at 1 week after final treatment. The incidence of anthracnose was inhibited over 60% in the greenhouse by treatment of crude extract of R. verniciflus (1.0 mg/mL). CONCLUSION(s): Extracts of Rhus verniciflus were shown to have inhibitory effects on mycelial growth, spore germination of Colletotrichum spp. in vitro and on occurrence of anthracnose on pepper fruit in green house.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.274-283
• /
• 2020

This study focused on the in vitro investigation of antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities, along with neuroprotection against high glucose-induced cytotoxicity, in order to evaluate the physiological effects of Zanthoxylum piperitum and Zanthoxylum schinifolium. The highest total phenolic content was measured in the 40% ethanolic extracts of Zanthoxylum piperitum (EZP) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium (EZS). The in vitro EZP antioxidant activity showed a relatively higher ABTS/DPPH radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde inhibitory effect than that of EZS. The EZP inhibited carbohydrate hydrolysis (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) more efficiently than EZS in anti-diabetic tests. However, EZS showed a more efficient inhibition of advanced glycation end-products formation than EZP. In addition, both EZP and EZS effectively protected human-derived neuronal cells from high glucose-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, the physiological compounds were analyzed using UPLC IMS-QTOF/MS^E, and the main EZP (quercetin-3-O-glucoside and 3-caffeoylquinic acid) and EZS (5-caffeoylquinic acid) compounds were identified as phenolic compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.615-620
• /
• 2018

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of catechins of green tea, has been known to possess anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer effects. The present study analyzed global gene expression changes in EGCG-treated HCT116 cells and p53-null HCT116 cells by oligo DNA microarray analysis. Among the differentially expressed genes in EGCG-treated HCT116 cells, four were selected that are known as tumor suppressor genes (activating transcription factor 3 [ATF3], cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A [CDKN1A], DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 [DDIT3] and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene [NAG-1]) and their expression was compared to the expression of genes in p53-null HCT116 cells. We found that the expression of these genes was not dependent on their p53 status except for NAG-1, which was only up-regulated in HCT116. The results of RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that ATF3 up-regulation by EGCG was not affected by the presence of p53, whereas NAG-1 expression was not induced in p53-null HCT116 cells. We also detected ATF3 and NAG-1 expression changes through genistein and resveratrol treatment. Interestingly, genistein could not up-regulate ATF3 regardless of p53 status, but genistein could induce NAG-1 only in HCT116 cells. Resveratrol could significantly induce NAG-1 as well as ATF3 independent of p53 presence. These results indicate that EGCG, genistein and resveratrol may have different anti-cancer effects. Overall, the results of this study may help to increase our understandings of molecular mechanisms on anti-cancer activities mediated by EGCG, genistein and resveratrol in human colorectal cancer cells.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.29-62
• /
• 2006

The early development of an infant is crucial due to the enormous impact it has throughout an infant's life. Therefore, it is important to understand the development process of an infant and provide a high-quality educational environment so that an infant can progress at an innate pace to learn how to exercise, understand, speak, socialize, and empathize as well as having a balanced growth. When educating an infant, joy is a substantial factor in the formation of trust and development of relationship that makes education efficient. Music can be an effective means to offer a fun atmosphere vto the infant in which it stimulates active participation of the infant and development of a variety of dimensions to the infant's development. Also, the purpose of music therapy education is utilizes to plan for the different age groups' level of understanding of music and allow the infant to have a positive experience and develop properly. The purposes of this study are as following: to examine characteristics according to an infant' developmental steps thoroughly, to suggest interventions using music therapy education to stimulate development of an infant, to prove that infants age 3 to 6 obtain the necessary ability and skill through the effective educational therapy through music, and finally to create a music program for educating infants or music therapy. This study has examined theories of the music approach targeting infants age 3 to 6 and made character observations of infant' Motor, Cognition, Communication, Socialization, and Emotions. With the basis of the above theory, the different levels of development has been divided, specific goals has been set up according to the levels, and various music therapy education for infants have been created. The music therapy education activity has been approved by five professionals who are renown in their specific field. They made comments that the development levels were properly divided in the paper. They also commented that the music program is adequate for achieving the goal of each developmental level and it stimulates the different levels of an infant's development. In conclusion, the study reflects that the approach of music therapy education stimulates the different levels of infant development. Music therapists can utilize this music program to help handicapped children identify characteristics of progress and develop at their own ability.