• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1896-1904
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• 2020

Muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduced number and size of myofibers, occurs due to immobilization, aging, and several chronic diseases. Leonurus japonicus, belonging to the Labiatae family, is widely used as a traditional medicine in Korea, China, and Japan. Previous studies have reported that L. japonicus has various physiological activities, such as anti-bacteria, anti-cancer, and liver protection. Leonurine, which is a major bioactive in L. japonicas, is known to possess biological effects including anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-diabetes. However, the preventive effects of L. japonicas and leonurine on muscle have not been reported. The current study aimed to determine the inhibitory effects of standardized L. japonicus extract (LJE) and leonurine on muscle atrophy by clarifying their underlying molecular mechanisms in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated L6 myotubes. LJE and leonurine stimulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway that was reduced by TNF-α treatment. LJE and leonurine not only increased the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway for protein anabolism but also decreased the mRNA expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases by blocking the translocation of Forkhead box O, which is closely linked with proteolysis. Additionally, LJE and leonurine alleviated inflammatory responses by downregulating TNF-α and interleukin-6 mRNA expression and reducing the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B, a major transcriptional factor of proinflammatory cytokines. Collectively, LJE and leonurine have potential as therapeutic candidates for inhibiting the development of skeletal muscle atrophy by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and reducing inflammatory responses.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1223-1230
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• 2020

Due to the aging of the population, the number of the elderly is increasing, and the nuclear family is rapidly progressing. Today's AI speakers respond to user's commands rather than conversations that occur on a daily basis. If the elderly living alone do not talk first, the usability of the AI speaker will decrease. In this paper, it describes the development of AI speakers for active interaction tailored to the aged. This speaker can identify the movements of the elderly who live alone and their surroundings, actively speak to them, and display emotional expressions appropriate to the content of the conversation. Through this, users will be able to anthropomorphize AI speakers, so they can feel familiarity and emotional conversation is expected to play a positive role in easing their loneliness.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.455-464
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• 2021

Uncontrolled inflammation is considered the pathophysiological basis of many prevalent metabolic disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. The inflammatory response is a self-limiting process that produces a superfamily of chemical mediators, called specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs). SPMs include the ω-3-derived family of molecules, such as resolvins, protectins, and maresins, as well as arachidonic acid-derived (ω-6) lipoxins that stimulate and promote resolution of inflammation, clearance of microbes, and alleviation of pain and promote tissue regeneration via novel mechanisms. SPMs function by binding and activating G protein-coupled receptors, such as FPR2/ALX, GPR32, and ERV1, and nuclear orphan receptors, such as RORα. Recently, several studies reported that SPMs have the potential to attenuate lipid metabolism disorders. However, the understanding of pharmacological aspects of SPMs, including tissue-specific biosynthesis, and specific SPM receptors and signaling pathways, is currently limited. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of SPMs in resolution of inflammatory diseases with metabolic disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, obtained from preclinical animal studies. In addition, the known SPM receptors and their intracellular signaling are reviewed as targets of resolution of inflammation, and the currently available information on the therapeutic effects of major SPMs for metabolic disorders is summarized.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate candidate materials as anti-inflammation agent from extracts of various Korean Compositae herbs in Hwaak mountain. Among Korea medicinal herbs, Ainsliaea acerifolia (AA) belongs to the Compositae family, has been used for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis. However, AA has not been previously reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AA and its underlying molecular mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Nitric oxide (NO) was measured with Griess reagent and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and p65 subunit of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were determined by Western blot analysis. Results : Among 8 extracts of Korean Compositae herbs tested, AA showed the inhibition of NO production without cytotoxicity. Consistent with the observation, AA reduced the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in dose-dependent manner. In addition, AA inhibited the productions of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, AA did not inhibit activation of p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion : These results suggest that down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2 protein expression and $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production by AA are responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2022

Cotoneaster mongolicus Pojark. (CM), in the family Rosaceae is an endemic plant to the Mongolian region (its name: Moнroл чapraй). In Mongolia, Cotoneaster species as a crude drug is mainly used for inflammatory diseases, diarrhea, and stomach indigestion. In this study, we evaluated the gastro-protective activity underlying mechanism of CM. For in vivo experiments, mice were divided into 5 groups; normal mice (Normal), gastritis mice (Control), gastritis mice treated with sucralfate 10 mg/kg (SC), gastritis mice treated with CM 100 mg/kg (CML), gastritis mice treated with CM 200 mg/kg (CMH). Gastritis was provoked by HCl/ethanol (60% ethanol in 150 mM HCl). After oral administration of each drug, HCl/ethanol was orally administered 90 mins later to induce gastritis. CM alleviated the damage to the gastric mucosa caused. As a result of confirming the expression of protein in gastric tissue through western blot, CM significantly reduced the expression of NF-κB activated due to gastritis. Also, it significantly modulated the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. These results indicate that CM not only inhibits the nuclear metastasis of NF-𝛋B but also modulates the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway to relieve inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.12
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• pp.652-660
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• 2021

Background: Viral load and shedding duration are highly associated with the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, limited studies have reported on viral load or shedding in children and adolescents infected with sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the natural course of viral load in asymptomatic or mild pediatric cases. Methods: Thirty-one children (<18 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were hospitalized and enrolled in this study. Viral loads were evaluated in nasopharyngeal swab samples using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (E, RdRp, N genes). cycle threshold (Ct) values were measured when patients met the clinical criteria to be released from quarantine. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years, 18 (58%) had mild disease, and 13 (42%) were asymptomatic. Most children were infected by adult family members, most commonly by their mothers. The most common symptoms were fever and sputum (26%), followed by cough and runny nose. Nine patients (29%) had a high or intermediate viral load (Ct value≤30) when they had no clinical symptoms. Viral load showed no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Viral rebounds were found in 15 cases (48%), which contributed to prolonged viral detection. The mean duration of viral detection was 25.6 days. Viral loads were significantly lower in patients with viral rebounds than in those with no rebound (E, P=0.003; RdRp, P=0.01; N, P=0.02). Conclusion: Our study showed that many pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced viral rebound and showed viral detection for more than 3 weeks. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between viral rebound and infectiousness in COVID-19.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Phyllospadix japonica Makino is a perennial plant belonging to the family Zosteraceae. This species is native to the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, and it is found attached to rocks on the seashore. As with all seagrass species, P. japonica is also known to play a major role in protecting the marine environment, and studies on its physiological activities suggestive of its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potentials have been reported. In this study, purification and structural analysis were performed to identify the polyphenol substances derived from P. japonica. METHODS AND RESULTS: An polyphenol substance MP-1 was purified from the 70% aqueous methanol extract of P. japonica using Diaion® HP-20 column chromatography, ODS column chromatography, and medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The purified MP-1 was identified as rosmarinic acid having a molecular weight of 360 and a molecular formula of C18H16O8 through electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis. CONCLUSION(S): This study highlights the processes used for the identification of the polyphenol substance derived from P. japonica. Rosmarinic acid, the polyphenol derived from P. japonica identified by this study, is a kind of bioactive substance mainly present in plants. These findings provide an important starting point and are valuable for future studies on bioactive substances in seagrass.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.347-352
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• 2023

The protein family of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) is comprised of multifunctional nuclear enzymes. Several PARP inhibitors have been developed as new anticancer drugs to combat resistance to chemotherapy. Herein, we characterized PARP4 mRNA expression profiles in cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. PARP4 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines, and this upregulation was associated with the hypomethylation of specific cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites (cg18582260 and cg17117459) on its promoter. Reduced PARP4 expression was restored by treating cisplatin-sensitive cell lines with a demethylation agent, implicating the epigenetic regulation of PARP4 expression by promoter methylation. Depletion of PARP4 expression in cisplatin-resistant cell lines reduced cisplatin chemoresistance and promoted cisplatin-induced DNA fragmentation. The differential mRNA expression and DNA methylation status at specific PARP4 promoter CpG sites (cg18582260 and cg17117459) according to cisplatin responses, was further validated in primary ovarian tumor tissues. The results showed significantly increased PARP4 mRNA expressions and decreased DNA methylation levels at specific PARP4 promoter CpG sites (cg18582260 and cg17117459) in cisplatin-resistant patients. Additionally, the DNA methylation status at cg18582260 CpG sites in ovarian tumor tissues showed fairly clear discrimination between cisplatin-resistant patients and cisplatin-sensitive patients, with high accuracy (area under the curve = 0.86, P = 0.003845). Our findings suggest that the DNA methylation status of PARP4 at the specific promoter site (cg18582260) may be a useful diagnostic biomarker for predicting the response to cisplatin in ovarian cancer patients.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-202
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• 1994

This study was conducted in order to grasp the condition of the student's knowledge and attitude about tuberculosis. And to offer the basic materials for the prevent tuberculosis in elementary school. The objects were comprised 395 of volunteered 6th grade students who study in two elementary schools. The material of this study was the questionaire(chronbach $\alpha=.9016$) suited to the purposed of this research which has been made through studying references. All the questionaire were collected immediately without explanation. The data was collected from 13rd to 25th of May on 1994. Analysis of the data was done utilizing SPSS for percentage, mean, ANOVA and pearson-Correlation Coefficient. The Result are as follows; 1. General features of the objects of study. Sex distribution was similar. Salary of 1000-1500 thousand won were highest (40.2%), nuclear family was highest (87.1%), fathers of graduated high school were the highest(44.0%), mothers of graduated high school were the highest(56.8%). And there was nobody about tuberculosis patient in one's close relatives were highest(95.4%). 2. The conditions of attitude about tuberculosis. Having experience of tuberculin test were highest(59.0%). Less than 9mm indulation among the tuberculin tested group were 85.1%, more than indulation were 14.9%. Have a B. C. G. injection among the less than 9mm indulation were 83.2%. Leave alone among the more than 10mm indulation were 56.0%. Think it too much trouble to do not tuberculine test were 63.0%. Do not take a chest X-ray in the past were 60.3%. And take a chest X-ray in the past were 39.7%. Health educated group was 74.3%. If tuberculosis sign was developed, notified to parent was 73.8%. 3. The condition of knowledge about tuberculosis. When 5 points was given to 'very affiming' and 1 point was given to 'very deny', the total average was 3.54. And symptom of tuberculosis secion was 3.67, vaccination of tuberculosis section was 3.66, tuberculine test section was 3.56, epidemiology of tuberculosis section was 3.54, infection of tuberculosis section was 3.38. And every section showed affirmative correlation(P<.001). 4. Correlation between the general features and attitude variables. High incomed group may have more attitude on tuberculin test than low incomed group($x^2=16.$ 190, P<.01). High educated group may have more attitude on tuberculin test than low educated group(Father : $x^2=28.530$, P<.001, Mother: $x^2=26.060$, P<.001). High educated group may have more attitude on health education than low educated group(Father: $x^2=20.$ 767, P<.000, Mother: $x^2=10.639$, P<.05). Nuclear family may have more attitude on notify to parent than others($x^2=51.45$, P<.000). Tuberculosis patient in one's close associates have more attitude on notify to parent than others($x^2=51.$ 45, P<.000). 5. Difference between the general features and knowledge of tuberculosis. High incomed group were highest score in knowledge (F=3.99, P<.01). High educated group were highest score in knowledge(Father : F=8.81, P<.000, Mother: F=9.09, P<.000). 6. Difference between the attitude and knowledge of tuberculosis. Tuberculin tested group were highest score in knowledge(t=9.88, P<.000). Taken chest X-ray group were highest score in knowledge (t=2.07, P<.05). Received health education group were highest score in knowledge(t=6.83, P<.000). Notified symptoms to teachers and parent group were highest score in knowledge(F=3.89, P<.01).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.887-896
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• 2023

The inflammatory response have been considered as one of important targets for cancer treatment because they play a key role during all steps of tumor development including initiation, promotion, malignant conversion and progression. To investigate the anti-inflammatory response during anti-tumor activity of an aqueous extracts of Ecklonia cava (AEC), alterations on the distribution of mast cells and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, inflammasome compositional protein and inflammatory cytokines were examined in CT26 colon tumor-bearing BALB/cKorl syngeneic mice after administrating AEC for five weeks. After treatment of AEC, total weight of tumor and necrotic region of tumor section were significantly decreased compared to vehicle treated group. The number of infiltered mast cells was higher in AEC treated group than vehicle treated group, while the expression levels of COX-2 and iNOS were decreased in AEC treated group. Also, similar decrease pattern were detected in the expression levels of NF-κB, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase-1 (Cas-1) after AEC treatment although the decrease rate was varied. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of three inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were remarkably decreased in AEC treated group compared to vehicle treated group. These results suggest that inhibition of inflammatory response may be tightly associated with anti-tumor activity of AEC in CT26 colon tumor-bearing BALB/cKorl syngeneic mice.