• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.530-538
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• 2006

There are three important components in tissue engineering: the cells, signaling factors (cytokines and growth factors), and scaffolds. To obtain finely engineered tissue, all three components should perform their individual functions and be fully integrated with each other. For the past few years, we have studied the characteristics of photodimerizable HA (CHA)/alginate (CA) composite materials. CHA/CA complex hydrogels, which were irradiated under UV light and, then treated with calcium ions, were found to have good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and water resistance for implantable tissue scaffolds. In this study, we introduced a cell growth factor (basic fibroblast growth factor; bFGF) into the CHA/CA scaffolds and studied its release behavior. We also introduced tetracycline hydrochloride and flurbiprofen into the same scaffolds as model activation factors and evaluated their release behaviors from the scaffolds. The drug release rate from the materials was influenced by various parameters, such as the degree of crosslinking, the cross linker type, the physico-chemical properties of the drug, and the amount of the drug in the polymer. The results indicated that the negatively charged CHA/CA composite materials showed sustained release behavior and that HA has a particularly strong negative charge, making it attractive toward tetracycline hydrochloride and bFGF, but repulsive toward flurbiprofen.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.513-523
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) have been suggested as effective immune modulators, and we reported that ginsenosides possess anti-inflammasome properties. However, the properties of nonsaponin components of RGE have not been well studied. Methods: To assess the roles of nonsaponin fractions (NS) in NLRP3 inflammasome activation, we treated murine macrophages with or without first or second inflammasome activation signals with RGE, NS, or saponin fractions (SF). The first signal was nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$)-mediated transcription of pro-interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and NLRP3 while the second signal triggered assembly of inflammasome components, leading to IL-$1{\beta}$ maturation. In addition, we examined the role of NS in IL-6 production and IL-$1{\beta}$ maturation in mice. Results: NS induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and NLRP3 transcription via toll-like receptor 4 signaling, whereas SF blocked expression. During the second signal, SF attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation while NS did not. Further, NS-injected mice presented increased IL-$1{\beta}$ maturation and IL-6 production. Conclusion: SF and NS of RGE play differential roles in the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Hence, RGE can be suggested as an NLRP3 inflammasome modulator.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.107-119
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• 2013

This paper reinforced security under the network evaluation of wire wireless integration of NEMO (NEwork MObility) supporting mobility and network-based PMIPv6 (Proxy Mobile IPv6). It also proposes $SK-L^2AS$ (Symmetric Key-Based Local-Lighted Authentication Scheme) based on simple key which reduces code calculation and authentication delay costs. Moreover, fast handover technique was also adopted to reduce handover delay time in PMIPv6 and X-FPMIPv6 (eXtension of Fast Handover for PMIPv6) was used to support global mobility. In addition, AX-FPMIPv6 (Authentication eXtension of Fast Handover for PMIPv6) is proposed which integrated $SK-L^2AS$ and X-FPMIPv6 by applying Piggybacks method to reduce the overhead of authentication and signaling. The AX-FPMIPv6 technique suggested in this paper shows that this technique is better than the existing schemes in authentication and handover delay according to the performance analysis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2017

3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) is a natural bromophenol compound that is most commonly isolated from red algae. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of BDB on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. BDB treatment (100 mg/kg) resulted in suppression of the development of AD symptoms compared with the control treatment (induction-only), as demonstrated by reduced immunoglobulin E levels in serum, smaller lymph nodes with reduced thickness and length, a decrease in ear edema, and reduced levels of inflammatory cell infiltration in the ears. In RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, BDB (12.5, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}M$) suppressed the production of interleukin-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, in a dose-dependent manner. BDB also had an inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; Tyr 701), two major signaling molecules involved in cellular inflammation. Taken together, the results show that BDB treatment alleviates inflammatory responses in an atopic dermatitis mouse model and RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that BDB may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating conditions involving allergic inflammation such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2017

Salt stress is one of the most limiting factors that reduce plant growth, development and yield. However, identification of salt-inducible genes is an initial step for understanding the adaptive response of plants to salt stress. In this study, we used an annealing control primer (ACP) based GeneFishing technique to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Italian ryegrass seedlings under salt stress. Ten-day-old seedlings were exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 6 h. Using 60 ACPs, a total 8 up-regulated genes were identified and sequenced. We identified several promising genes encoding alpha-glactosidase b, light harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein, metallothionein-like protein 3B-like, translation factor SUI, translation initiation factor eIF1, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2 and elongation factor 1-alpha. These genes were mostly involved in plant development, signaling, ROS detoxification and salt acclimation. However, this study provides new molecular information of several genes to understand the salt stress response. These genes would be useful for the enhancement of salt stress tolerance in plants.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.5135-5142
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• 2011

A flexible mechanism is proposed in this paper to improve the dynamic response performance of a traffic flow control system in an urban area. The roads, vehicles, and traffic control systems are all modeled as intelligent systems, wherein a wireless communication network is used as the medium of communication between the vehicles and the roads. The necessary sensor networks are installed in the roads and on the roadside upon which reinforcement learning is adopted as the core algorithm for this mechanism. A traffic policy can be planned online according to the updated situations on the roads, based on all the information from the vehicles and the roads. This improves the flexibility of traffic flow and offers a much more efficient use of the roads over a traditional traffic control system. The optimum intersection signals can be learned automatically online. An intersection control system is studied as an example of the mechanism using Q-learning based algorithm, and simulation results showed that the proposed mechanism can improve the traffic efficiency and the waiting time at the signal light by more than 30% in various conditions compare to the traditional signaling system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.143-153
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• 2019

Background: Ginseng is one of the well-known medicinal plants, exhibiting diverse medicinal effects. Its roots possess anticancer and antiaging properties and are being used in the medical systems of East Asian countries. It is grown in low-light and low-temperature conditions, and its growth is strongly inhibited at temperatures above $25^{\circ}C$. However, the molecular responses of ginseng to heat stress are currently poorly understood, especially at the protein level. Methods: We used a shotgun proteomics approach to investigate the effect of heat stress on ginseng leaves. We monitored their photosynthetic efficiency to confirm physiological responses to a high-temperature stress. Results: The results showed a reduction in photosynthetic efficiency on heat treatment ($35^{\circ}C$) starting at 48 h. Label-free quantitative proteome analysis led to the identification of 3,332 proteins, of which 847 were differentially modulated in response to heat stress. The MapMan analysis showed that the proteins with increased abundance were mainly associated with antioxidant and translation-regulating activities, whereas the proteins related to the receptor and structural-binding activities exhibited decreased abundance. Several other proteins including chaperones, G-proteins, calcium-signaling proteins, transcription factors, and transfer/carrier proteins were specifically downregulated. Conclusion: These results increase our understanding of heat stress responses in the leaves of ginseng at the protein level, for the first time providing a resource for the scientific community.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.464-469
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• 2021

Cardiomyocyte differentiation occurs through complex and finely regulated processes including cardiac lineage commitment and maturation from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). To gain some insight into the genome-wide characteristics of cardiac lineage commitment, we performed transcriptome analysis on both mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human induced PSCs (hiPSCs) at specific stages of cardiomyocyte differentiation. Specifically, the gene expression profiles and the protein-protein interaction networks of the mESC-derived platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRα)⁺ cardiac lineage-committed cells (CLCs) and hiPSC-derived kinase insert domain receptor (KDR)⁺ and PDGFRα⁺ cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) at cardiac lineage commitment were compared with those of mesodermal cells and differentiated cardiomyocytes. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that the genes significantly upregulated at cardiac lineage commitment were associated with responses to organic substances and external stimuli, extracellular and myocardial contractile components, receptor binding, gated channel activity, PI3K-AKT signaling, and cardiac hypertrophy and dilation pathways. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed that the expression levels of genes that regulate cardiac maturation, heart contraction, and calcium handling showed a consistent increase during cardiac differentiation; however, the expression levels of genes that regulate cell differentiation and multicellular organism development decreased at the cardiac maturation stage following lineage commitment. Additionally, we identified for the first time the protein-protein interaction network connecting cardiac development, the immune system, and metabolism during cardiac lineage commitment in both mESC-derived PDGFRα⁺ CLCs and hiPSC-derived KDR⁺PDGFRα⁺ CPCs. These findings shed light on the regulation of cardiac lineage commitment and the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.575-599
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• 2021

The edible roots of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) are consumed worldwide. For characterization and evaluation of the agronomic traits and health-promoting chemicals in radish germplasms, new germplasm breeding materials need to be identified. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the phenotypic traits and glucosinolate contents of radish roots from 110 germplasms, by analyzing correlations between 10 quantitative phenotypic traits and the individual and total contents of five glucosinolates. Phenotypic characterization was performed based on descriptors from the UPOV and IBPGR, and glucosinolate contents were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Regarding the phenotypic traits, a significant correlation between leaf length and root weight was observed. Glucoraphasatin was the main glucosinolate, accounting for an average of 71% of the total glucosinolates in the germplasms; moreover, its content was significantly correlated with that of glucoerucin, its precursor. Principal component analysis indicated that the 110 germplasms could be divided into five groups based on their glucosinolate contents. High levels of free-radical scavenging activity (DPPH) were observed in red radishes. These results shed light on the beneficial traits that could be targeted by breeders, and could also promote diet diversification by demonstrating the health benefits of various germplasms.