• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2001

Background : The information on nasal transport and the metabolism of peptides have been obtained from pharmacokinetic investigations in experimental animals. However, there are no transport and metabolic studies of human nasal epithelial cells. In this study, the permeability characteristics and the metabolic properties of in vitro human nasal cell monolayers were investigated. Material and Methods : Normal human inferior nasal conchal tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing endoscopic nasal cavitary surgery. The specimens were cultured in a transwell using an air-liquid Interface (ALI) culture, and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value of the blank filter and confluent cell monolayers were measured. To determine the % leakage of mannitol, $4{\mu}mol%$ $^{14}C$-labelled mannitol was added and the % leakage was measured every 10 minute for 1 hour. Result : Human nasal epithelial cells in the primary culture grew to a confluent monolayer within 7 days and expressed microvilli. The tight junction between the cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The TEER value of the blank filter, fifth day and seventh day reached $108.5\;ohm.cm^2$, $141\;ohm.cm^2$ and $177.5\;ohm.cm^2$, respectively. Transcellular % leakage of the $^{14}$-mannitol at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes was $35.67{\pm}5.43$, $34.42{\pm}5.60$, $32.75{\pm}5.71$, $31.76{\pm}4.22$, $30.96{\pm}3.49$ and $29.60{\pm}3.68\;%$, respectively. Conclusion : The human nasal epithelial monolayer using ALI culture techniques is suitable for a transcellular permeability study. The data suggests that human nasal epithelial cells In an ALI culture technique shows some promise for a nasal transport and metabolism study.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.519-524
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• 2008

Monacolin-K is a strong anti-hypercholesterolemic agent produced by Monascus sp. via polyketide pathway. High-yielding mutants of monacolin-K were developed through rational screening strategies adopted based on understanding of monacolin-K biosynthetic pathway. Through the experiments for investigating various amino acids as putative precursors for the monacolin-K biosynthesis, it was found that production level of monacolin-K was remarkably increased when optimum amount of cysteine was supplemented into the production medium. We suggested that these phenomena might be related to the special roles of SAM (S-adenosyl methionine), a putative methyl group donor in the biosynthetic pathway of monacolin-K, demonstrating close interrelationship between SAM-synthesizing primary metabolism and monacolin-K synthesizing secondary metabolism. Namely, increase in the intracellular amount of SAM derived from the putative precursor, cysteine which was extracellularly supplemented into the production medium might contribute to the significant enhancement in the monacolin-K biosynthetic capability of the highly mutated producers. On the basis of these assumptions derived from the above fermentation results, we decided to construct efficient expression vectors harboring SAM synthetase gene (metK) cloned from A. nidulans, with the hope that increased intracellular level of SAM could lead to further enhancement in the monacolin-K production through overcoming a rate-limiting step associated with monacolin-K biosynthesis. Hence, in order to overcome the plausible rate-limiting step associated with monacolin-K biosynthesis by increasing intracellular level of SAM, we transformed the producer mutants with an efficient expression vector harboring gpdA promoter of the producer microorganism, and metK gene. Notably, from the resulting various transformants, we were able to screen a very high-yielding transformant which showed approximately 3.3 fold higher monacolin-K productivity than the parallel nontransformed mutants in shake flask cultures performed under the identical fermentation conditions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

Nucleotide metabolism in endothelium is variable between different species. Recent studies demonstrated that this variability could contribute coagulation dysfunction, even though organs of the alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout pig were transplanted into the primate. CD73 (ecto-5'-nucelotidase) is an enzyme at cell surface catalyzing the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine, which plays role on a substance for anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant. Thus, overexpression of CD73 in endothelial cells of the pig is considered as an approach to reduce coagulopathy. In this study, we constructed a human CD73 expression vector under control of porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73), which is expressed specifically at endothelial cells, and of CMV promoter as a control (CMV-CD73). First, we transfected the CMV-CD73 vector into HEK293 cells, and then confirmed CD73 expression at cell surface by flow cytometry analysis. Next, we transfected the pIcma2-CD73 and CMV-CD73 vectors into primary porcine fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Consequence was that the pIcma2-CD73 vector was expressed only at the porcine endothelial cells, meaning that the pIcam2 promoter lead to endothelial cell-specific expression of CD73 in vitro. Finally, we nucleofected the pIcam2-hCD73 vector into passage 3 fibroblasts, and enforced hygromycin selection of 400mg/ml. We were able to obtain forty three colonies harboring pIcam2-CD73 to provide donor cells for transgenic cloned porcine production.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1081-1086
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the medicinal effects of the herbal combination extracts-2 (HCE-2), consisting of Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Lonicera japonica Thunb., Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, and Hovenia dulcis Thunb. on the alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (n =6), non-treated control group (n =6), saline-treated group (n =6) and the herbal combination extract (HCE-2)-treated group (n =6). The rats in the alcohol-loaded groups were orally administered with ethanol at a daily dose of 4 g/kg-body weight for 5 weeks. Thirty minutes before the ethanol injection, saline or herbal combination extracts was administered by using a gastrogavage. Blood and liver tissue samples were taken out from the hearts and livers of the rats, respectively, on 15th and 38th days. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also investigated the protective effect of the herbal combination extracts by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining on histological sections of rat liver. In this study, the oral administration of the herbal combination extracts significantly reduced the serum levels of AST and ALT, which had been raised by alcohol-induced liver injury. Histological analysis and apparent observation of liver also showed the preventive effect of the herbal combination extracts in a chronic alcohol-induced rat model. Theses results revealed that the herbal combination extracts effectively prevented hepatic damage consequent to the chronic exposure to repetitive administration of ethanol and could be used as a primary resource of a health beverage or herbal medicine, alleviating the alcohol-induced hepatic injury and hangover symptoms.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 1990

The Jido Pond system was investigated from April, 1979 through March, 1980, in respect of seasonal changes in physico-chemical factors: i.e., temperature, pH, DO, BOD, COD, $Cl^-, \; Mg^{++}$, alkalinity, detergent, $SiO_2, PO_4\;^{3-}, NH_4\;^+, NO_2\;^-, NO_3\;^-$, total N, OM and OC; phytoplankton community growth; and the ecosystem metabolism. The phytoplankton community was represented by 23 species belonging to Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta and Cyanophyta; each sharing 11, 9 3 respectively. The Chlorophyceans dominated the phytoplankton community contributing 75% of the total ？미 counts. The ranges of biotic diversity indices were, d, 0.85~2.80; H, 1.10~2.40; c, 0.13~0/40; and 3, 0.56~0.90. The chlorophyll standing crop varied in between 0.043 and 0.385g/$\textrm{cm}^2$ surface area. The ranges of photosynthetic and respiratory rates were 0.36~4.50; and 0.10~1.40 $O_2$ mg/1/hr, respectively. The monthly areal net primary production varied from 23.9 to 305.1C g/$\textrm{m}^2$/month. The Eu of the net production seasonally varied in between 0.31 and 7.80%, and the annual mean was 2.44%. The annual turnover times of phosphorus and nitrogen were 20 and 3 days, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2004

Laccase produced by Trametes hirsuta S1 isolated from Korea was partially purified and characterized using ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography. The laccase was produced as the predominant extracellular enzyme during primary metabolism. Neither lignin peroxidase nor veratryl alcohol oxidase (VAO) were detected in the culture fluid. Addition of 2,5-xylidine enhanced 4-fold laccase production. Purified laccase was a single polypeptide having a molecular mass of approximately 66 kDa, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and carbohydrate content of 12%. $K_{m}\;and\;V_{max}$ values for laccase with ABTS [2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline 6-sulfonic acid)] as a substrate (Lineweaver-Burk plot) was determined to $51.2\;{\mu}M\;and\;56.8\;{\mu}mole$, respectively. The optimal pH for laccase activity was found to be 3.0. The enzyme was very stable for 1 hour at $50^{\circ}C$. Half-life ($t_{1/2}$) of the enzyme was about 20 min at $70^{\circ}C$. Spectroscopic analysis of purified enzyme indicated that the enzyme was typical of copper-containing protein. Substrate specificity and inhibitor studies for laccase also indicated to be a typical fungal laccase. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the T. hirsuta S1 laccase showed 100% of homology to those of laccase from C. hirsutus.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 1996

Osteoclast has been known as a primary responsible cell for the bone resorption. The activation of osteoclast, therefore, may be the key event in the regulation of bone growth and remodeling. Various factors were reported to have influence on the resorbing activity of osteoclast in organ culture. Among those factors, transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) has been known to have a profound effect on bone metabolism. Since a large amount of TGF-$\beta$ presents in bone tissue, it may be important for the understanding the regulatory mechanism of bone resorption to elucidate the effect of TGF-$\beta$ on the osteoclast. We have reported the dlsaggregated chick embryonic osteoclast culture as an useful assay method for determining the resorption activity of osteoclast. In this culture, we found that TGF-$\beta$ significantly enhaced the osteoclastic bone resorption activity. We also found that the timulatory effect seemed to be an indirect one that is mediated by other cells. As nordihydroguaiaretic acid significantly inhibited the TGF-$\beta$1-induced osteoclastic bone resorption, we suggest that the lipoxygenase derivative of arachidonic acid may participate in the action of TGF-$\beta$ as a paracrine or an autocrine mediator.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.330-336
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• 2015

Polycan originating from Aureobasidium pullulans is mostly composed of β-1, 3/1, 6 glucans and possesses an anti-osteoporotic effect. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the efficacy and safety of the polycan on bone biochemical markers in healthy perimenopausal women. Sixty subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups-group 1 received 400 mg of polycan and group 2 received placebo-these were administered once daily for 28 days. Fasting blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome was change in osteocalcin (OSC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Changes in calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), C-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (CTx), N-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (NTx), and deoxypyridinoline (DPYR) were the secondary outcomes. A safety assessment was performed using adverse event (AE) and laboratory data. After 4 weeks of polycan treatment, OSC, DPYR, and BALP levels changed (P < 0.05) significantly from baseline in both groups. However, no significant differences were observed in any markers between the 2 groups, except for P (P < 0.05). Interestingly, group 2 showed a significant increase in CTx (65.2%, P < 0.05), while CTx in group 1 slightly increased (17.2%). Both groups showed no significant differences in AE. Although 4 weeks of polycan treatment did not have a statistically significant effect on bone metabolism biomarkers, increases in CTx were modestly inhibited by polycan. Further studies in a large population and longer treatment periods are needed to confirm the effect of polycan on bone turnover.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.236-240
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• 2000

Correlations between mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis activity and overall growth activity of rice (Oryza sativa: cv. Dasan) seedlings during low temperature exposure were studied in order to provide insights into the underlying mechanism for the primary phase of chilling injury in plants. Among cellular membranes involved in energy metabolism, only the mitochondrial inner membrane showed not only physical phase transition at ca. $13^{\circ}C$, as monitored by ESR spin label, but also functional phase transition at the same temperature, as assessed by cytochrome c oxidase activity. The main regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, phosphofructokinase, in situ did not suffer phase transition of its activity at least in the $4{\sim}27^{\circ}C$ range. Low temperature caused a significant accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), which disappeared almost completely on rewarming of the seedlings. Temperature profiles of the steady state levels of G6P and F6P revealed the inflection point appearing at around phase transition temperature of the mitochondrial membrane. The results conform to our previous proposition on the mechanism for the early stage events of chilling injury that the accumulation of glycolytic metabolites in cells due to metabolic imbalance at low temperature gives rise to an excess supply of electrons during rewarming period, which, in turn, results in overproduction of active oxygen in mitochondria.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.163-176
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Bangpungtongsung-san extracts on the preadipocytes proliferation, of 3T3-L1 cell line. lipolysis of adipocytes in rat's epididymis and localized fat accumulation of porcine by extraction methods(alcohol and water). Methods : Diminish 3T3-L1 proliferation and lipogenesis do primary role to reduce obesity. So, 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and adipocytes were performed on cell cultures, and using Sprague-Dawley rats for the lipogenesis, and treated with 0.01-$1mg/m{\ell}$ Bangpungtongsung-san Extracts depend on concentrations. Porcine skin including fat tissue after treated Bangpungtongsung-san Extracts by means of the dosage dependent variation are investigated the histologic changes after injection of these extracts. Results : Following results were obtained from the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation and lipolysis of adipocyte in rats and histologic investigation of fat tissue. 1. Bangpungtongsung-san extracts were showed the effect of decreased preadipocyte proliferation on the high dosage($1.0mg/m{\ell}$). 2. Bangpungtongsung-san extracts were showed the effect of decreased the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GPDH) on the high dosage($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) and Specially, alcohol extract of Bangpungtongsung-san was clear as time goes by high concentration. 3. Bangpungtongsung-san extracts were showed tries to compare the effect of lipolysis, alcohol extract of Bangpungtongsung-san on the high dosage($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) was observed the effect is higher than water extract. 4. Investigated the histological changes in porcine fat tissue after treated Bangpungtongsung-san extracts, we knew that water extract of Bangpungtongsung-san was showed the effect of lipolysis on the high dosage($10.0mg/m{\ell}$) and alcohol extract of Bangpungtongsung-san was showed significant activity to the lysis of cell membranes in all concentration. Conclusion : These results suggest that Bangpungtongsung-san efficiently induces diminish proliferation of preadipocyte and lipolysis in adipose tissue.