• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.25-36
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• 2016

This paper discusses the character of communication among participating stakeholders in the Improving Alley Landscapes in Residential Neighborhoods project. The participation of diverse stakeholders in conventional urban redevelopment is considered to delay and complicate the progress of a project. However, in urban regeneration, a field-oriented operating system and collaboration between diverse stakeholders is considered critical to building a sustainable community. A stakeholder is defined as "a person or organization that can influence decision-making or be influenced by it." This paper uses a case study to examine what types of stakeholders participate and what communicative processes and ideas are shared among them. Six neighborhoods were selected out of a total of 26 of Seoul's 2014 Improving Alley Landscapes project. This research was developed through interviews and a review of the literature. The character of communication among stakeholders in the case study is as follows. Firstly, the administration initiated the project but did not show leadership. This was caused by a gap in understanding about the project between city and borough administrations, Further, the city administration lacked experience with projects that placed an emphasis on fieldwork. Tongjand and Banjang, at ancillary institutions, acted as spokespersons and helped people in the community to understand the administrative process. However, because they led communication and used personal relationships to ensure they communicated effectively, the communication process had limits from the perspective of democratic process. Diverse stakeholders expressed their opinions in the public sphere and communicated about them using diverse media. Finally, experts produced the output, facilitated communication, and mediated in conflicts. Because new experts acted as facilitators and mediators, there was a great deal of trial and error. This project has particular significance: Seoul's city government deals with urban space rather than parks and green space, which are limited by boundaries; and whether "green" can be used for urban renovation was tested by several landscape architects, who sought to identify a new role in urban renovation, namely, the role of landscape and landscape architecture. However, the project has some limitations, including an insufficiently detailed project plan, a lack of common understanding among stakeholders, and a short timeframe. A number of stakeholders overcame these limitations to a certain degree. Officials of the Borough and the Dong managed the project and resolved civil complaints. Experts provided special information, and contributed to the design and construction of improvements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1662-1667
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• 2011

Anthocyanins belong to a group of flavonoid compounds and are well known for their various health beneficial effects, which include antioxidative activities. Among them, the major anthocyanins isolated from seed coat of black soybean (Glycine max L.) were previously characterized as glycosides containing glucopyranose. Asthma is an allergic disease that is strongly associated with various immune cells, including basophils and mast cells. Eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells play important roles in allergic asthma through the release of inflammatory mediators such as asthma-specific T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines and subsequent amplification of asthma symptoms via degranulation. Rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells are the most common in vitro models for evaluating allergic reactions. In this study, we examined the effects of anthocyanin from seed coat of black soybean on antigen-stimulated degranulation and Th2 cytokine production in RBL-2H3 cells. Cell degranulation was evaluated by measuring the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase. ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release and Th2 cytokine production in RBL-2H3 cells was much higher upon stimulation with IgE-antigen complex than those in untreated control cells. Anthocyanins significantly suppressed IgE-antigen complex-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and inhibited IgE-antigen complex-mediated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) production in RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that anthocyanins from seed coat of black soybean effectively inhibit allergic reactions and may have beneficial effects against allergic asthma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7179-7188
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• 2015

Cancer is a major health obstacle around the world, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) as major causes of morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, there isgrowing interest in the therapeutic use of natural products for HCC and CRC, owing to the anticancer activity of their bioactive constituents. Boswellia serrata oleo gum resin has long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate a variety of health problems such as inflammatory and arthritic diseases. The current study aimed to identify and explore the in vitro anticancer effect of B. Serrata bioactive constituents on HepG2 and HCT 116 cell lines. Phytochemical analysis of volatile oils of B. Serrata oleo gum resin was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Oleo-gum-resin of B. Serrata was then successively extracted with petroleum ether (extract 1) and methanol (extract 2). Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis of the lipoidal matter was also performed. In addition, a methanol extract of B. Serrata oleo gum resin was phytochemically studied using column chromatography (CC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) to obtain four fractions (I, II, III and IV). Sephadex columns were used to isolate ${\beta}$-boswellic acid and identification of the pure compound was done using UV, mass spectra, $^1H$ NMR and $^{13}C$ NMR analysis. Total extracts, fractions and volatile oils of B. Serrata oleo-gum resin were subsequently applied to HCC cells (HepG2 cell line) and CRC cells (HCT 116 cell line) to assess their cytotoxic effects. GLC analysis of the lipoidal matter resulted in identification of tricosane (75.32%) as a major compound with the presence of cholesterol, stigmasterol and ${\beta}$-sitosterol. Twenty two fatty acids were identified of which saturated fatty acids represented 25.6% and unsaturated fatty acids 74.4% of the total saponifiable fraction. GC/MS analysis of three chromatographic fractions (I,II and III) of B. Serrata oleo gum resin revealed the presence of pent-2-ene-1,4-dione, 2-methyl- levulinic acid methyl ester, 3,5- dimethyl- 1-hexane, methyl-1-methylpentadecanoate, 1,1- dimethoxy cyclohexane, 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)benzene and 17a-hydroxy-17a-cyano, preg-4-en-3-one. GC/MS analysis of volatile oils of B. Serrata oleo gum resin revealed the presence of sabinene (19.11%), terpinen-4-ol (14.64%) and terpinyl acetate (13.01%) as major constituents. The anti-cancer effect of two extracts (1 and 2) and four fractions (I, II, III and IV) as well as volatile oils of B. Serrata oleo gum resin on HepG2 and HCT 116 cell lines was investigated using SRB assay. Regarding HepG2 cell line, extracts 1 and 2 elicited the most pronounced cytotoxic activity with $IC_{50}$ values equal 1.58 and $5.82{\mu}g/mL$ at 48 h, respectively which were comparable to doxorubicin with an $IC_{50}$ equal $4.68{\mu}g/mL$ at 48 h. With respect to HCT 116 cells, extracts 1 and 2 exhibited the most obvious cytotoxic effect; with $IC_{50}$ values equal 0.12 and $6.59{\mu}g/mL$ at 48 h, respectively which were comparable to 5-fluorouracil with an $IC_{50}$ equal $3.43{\mu}g/mL$ at 48 h. In conclusion, total extracts, fractions and volatile oils of B. Serrata oleo gum resin proved their usefulness as cytotoxic mediators against HepG2 and HCT 116 cell lines with different potentiality (extracts > fractions > volatile oil). In the two studied cell lines the cytotoxic acivity of each of extract 1 and 2 was comparable to doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil, respectively. Extensive in vivo research is warranted to explore the precise molecular mechanisms of these bioactive natural products in cytotoxicity against HCC and CRC cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.207-215
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• 2018

Inflammatory response and oxidative stress play critical roles in the development and progression of many human diseases. Therefore, a great deal of attention has been focused on finding functional materials that can control inflammation and oxidative stress simultaneously. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Socheongja and Socheong 2, Korean black seed coat soybean varieties, on the inflammatory and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our data indicated that the extracts of Socheongja (SCJ) and Socheong 2 (SC2) significantly suppressed LPS-induced production of nitrite oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$, key pro-inflammatory mediators, by suppressing the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. It was also found that SCJ and SC2 reduced the LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $interleukin-1{\beta}$, which was concomitant with a decrease in the protein levels. In addition, SCJ and SC2 markedly diminished LPS-stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, and effectively enhanced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. Furthermore, LPS-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was abrogated by SCJ and SC2. Taken together, these data suggest that SCJ and SC2 may offer protective roles against LPS-induced inflammatory and oxidative responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages through attenuating MAPKs pathway, and these effects are mediated, at least in part, through activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Given these results, we propose that SCJ and SC2 have therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammatory and oxidative disorders caused by over-activation of macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.265-273
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• 2018

Estrogen (E2) is involved in the development and progression of breast cancer and is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER). ER plays important roles in cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and causing drug resistance through diverse cross-talks with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling pathways in breast cancer cells. Breast cancer is caused mainly by break-down of homeostasis of endocrine signaling pathways especially by the uncontrolled expression and increased activities of E2/IGF-1/EGF, ER/G-protein estrogen receptor (GPER)/IGF-1R/EGFR and their intracellular signaling mediators. These changes influence the complex cross-talk between E2 and growth factors' signaling, eventually resulting in the progression of cancer and resistance against endocrine regulators. Thus, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms in stepwise of the cross-talk between E2 and growth factors will contribute to the customized treatment according to the diverse types of breast cancer. In particular, as strategies for the treatment of breast cancer with diverse genotypes and phenotypes, there can be use of aromatase inhibitors and blockers of E2 action for the ER+ hormone-dependent breast cancer cells and use of IGF-1R/EGFR activity blockers for suppression of cancer cell proliferation from the cross-talk between E2 and growth factors. Furthermore, changes in the expression of the ECM molecules regulated by the cross-talk between ER and EGFR/IGF-1R can be used for the targeted therapeutics against the migration of breast cancer cells. Therefore, it is required for the cross-talk among the signaling pathways of ER, GPER, IGF-1R and EGFR concerning cancer progression to be elucidated in more detail at the molecular level.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2017

Potentilla supina (Rosaceae) has traditionally been used to treat disorders of hemostasis, dysentery, malaria, bloody discharge and arthritis, and it has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, validity of the anti-inflammatory activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of P. supina using the ethanolic extract of P. supina and its sub-fractions. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of P. supina, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in RAW 264.7 cells. Our results indicated that ethyl acetate fraction significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO, iNOS and $PGE_2$ production in RAW 264.7 cells. This result showed that ethyl acetate fraction of P. supina is expected to be a good candidate for development into a source of anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2016

Cutaneous microvasculature plays a critical role in age-associated skin changes. A considerable reduction of number and size of vessels has been observed in the upper dermis of elderly skin. Forsythiae fructus (FF), the dried fruit of plant Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa), has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and bacterial diseases. However, its regulatory effect on angiogenic responses has not been elucidated in skin. Therefore, we analyzed secretory profiles upon treatment of FF extract using array designed to detect angiogenesis-associated mediators in human keratinocytes. Because keratinocyte-derived VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been regarded as a potent factor for new microvasculature under the epidermis, we further investigated the effect of FF extract on VEGF production. We observed that the VEGF expression of mRNA and protein level was increased by about 2 folds in a dose-dependent manner after FF extract treatment. In signaling experiments, FF extract induced rapid p38 MAPK activation within 5 min, and the activation was totally abrogated by pretreatment with a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor. The FF-induced VEGF upregulation was also significantly attenuated by a p38 MAPK inhibition. Taken together, FF extract induces VEGF production via p38 MAPK activation in human epidermal keratinocytes. These novel findings suggest that FF is useful as a potential agent with pro-angiogenic activity and may help to improve age-dependent reduction of the microvasculature in aged skin or to heal skin wound.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2006

Background: An acute lung injury(ALI) is characterized by the recruitment, activation, and apoptosis of inflammatory cells, numerous products released by inflammatory cells such as reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and a variety of proteolytic enzymes. It was reported that bacterial infections in diabetics showed impaired PMN functions such as reduced PMN respiratory burst and decreased microbicidal activity in inflamed tissue. However, the effect of the proteinase - inhibitor (MMP-9 vs TIMP-1) in ALI in diabetics is unclear. This study evaluated the differences in the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 after the stimulation of endotoxin in a rat model. Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into normal, DM, LPS and DM+LPS groups. The peripheral blood, BAL fluids, and lung tissues were obtained from individual rats. The MMP-9 activity was measured by gelatin zymography and the TIMP-1 level was measured by Western blotting. Results: The total BAL cells of the DM-LPS groups were significantly lower than the LPS groups (p < 0.01). The MMP-9 activities in the serum were higher in the DM+LPS groups than in the other groups. The MMP-9 activities in the BAL fluids were significantly higher in the DM+LPS group than in the normal and diabetic rats (p < 0.05). TIMP-1 expressions in the BAL fluids were significantly lower in the DM+LPS group than other groups (p < 0.05). The ratio between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the BAL fluids was significantly higher in the DM+LPS groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In ALI in diabetics the higher MMP-9 activity and lower TIMP-1 level are believed to prolonged and intensify the course of inflammation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.219-237
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• 1994

The ultimate goal of clinical periodontal therapy is to achieve regeneration of a healthy connective tissue reattachment. Conventional therapy including scaling, root planing, gingival curettage, gingivectomy and flap procedures of various types results primarily in repair rather than regeneration of the periodontium. In order for periodontal regeneration to occur, progenitor periodontal ligament cells must migrate to the denuded root surface, attach to it, proliferate and mature into an organized and functional fibrous attachment apparatus. Polypeptide growth factors belong to a class of potent biologic mediators which regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, migration and metabolism. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF- I ) of these factors appear to have an important role in periodontal wound healing and bone formation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of IGF- I on the periodontal ligament cells to use as a regeneration promoting agent of periodontal tissue. Human periodontal ligament cells were obtained from periodontal tissue explants culture of the first premolar tooth extracted for the orthodontic treatment. Cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium(DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum. Fourth to seventh passage cells were plated in 24 well tissue culture plates and medium changed to serum-free medium prior to addition of growth factors. Cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of $[^3H]-thymidine$ into DNA, Protein synthesis was determined by measurement of $[^3H]-proline$ incorporation into collagenase-digestible protein(CDP) and noncollagenous protein(NCP) according to the method of Peterkofsky and Diegelmann (1971), And alkaline phosphatase activity was measured as one parameter of osteoblastic differentiation. The results were as follows : The DNA synthetic activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner with IGF- I except for 0.1ng/ml concentration of IGF- I At the concentration of 10, 100ng/ml, IGF- I significantly increased the DNA synthetic activity(P<0.05) The total protein, collagen and noncollagen synthesis was increased in a dose-dependent manner with IGF- I except for 0.1ng/ml concentration of IGF- I. At the concentration of 1, 10, 100ng/ml, IGF- I significantly increased the total protein, collagen and noncollagen synthesis activity(P<0.95, P<0.001). The % of collagen was not effected according to the concentration of IGF- I. The alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in a dose-, time-dependent manner with IGF- I (10, 100ng/ml). In conclusions, the present study shows that IGF- I has a potentiality to enhance the DNA synthesis of periodontal ligament cells with including the increase of the total protein and collagen synthetic activity. The use of IGF- I to mediate biological stimulation of periodontal ligament cells shows promise for future therapeutic applications.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.303-320
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• 1994

Current acceptable methods For promotin gperiodontal regeneration are base on removal of diseased soft tissue, root treatment, guided tissue regeneration, inteoduction of new graft materials and biological mediators. Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) is one of polypeptide growth factor. PDGF has been reported as a biological mediator which regulates activities of wound healing process including the cell proliferation, migration and metabolism. The purposes of this study is to evaluate the effects of PDGF-AA, BB on the periodontal ligament cells to use as a regeneration promoting agent of periodontal tissue. Human periodontal ligament cells were prepared from the first premolar tooth extracted for the orthodontic treatment and were cultured in DMEM/10% FBS at the $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator. Author measured the DNA synthesis, total protein, collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity according to the concentration of PDGF-AA and BB(0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100ng/ml). The results were as follows : The DNA synthetic activity was increased dose dependently by PDGF-AA and BB. The maximum mitogenic effect was at the 100ng/ml of PDGF-AA and 10ng/ml of PDGF-BB. The total protein, collagen and noncollagen systhesis was increased dose dependently by PDGF-AA and BB. The % of collagen was slightly decresed according to the concentration of PDGF-AA and BB. The effect of PDGF-AA and BB were not specific for collagen synthesis since it also increased noncollagenous protein synthesis. The effect of PDGF-AA and BB on alkaline phosphatase activity did not show any significant, meanwhile the alkaline phosphatase activity of 14 days group showed significnat increase. In conclusion, PDGF-AA and BB may have important roles in stimulation of DNA synthesis in human periodontal ligament cells, which means an increase in collagen-synthesizing cells, and may be useful for clinical application in periodontal regenerative procedures.