• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the in vitro anti-obesity, anti-cancer activity and single oral dose toxicity of Inonotus xeranticus extracted by methanol (INXM) or ethyl acetate (INXE). In order to investigate anti-obestity effect of Inonotus xeranticus extracts, the 3T3-L1 cells were treated with these extracts at various concentrations(1, 10, 100 and $300{\mu}g/ml$). It was observed that 3T3-L1 cells treated with $100{\mu}g/ml$ of Inonotus obliquus ethyl acetate extract (INOE), INXM and INXE, in the absence of differentiation cocktail (0.5mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) $1{\mu}M$ dexamethasone, $1{\mu}M$ insulin), differentiated at a rate of 78.5, 80.9, and 76.4% respectively. Differentiation rates of 86.6% and 83.4% were observed in 3T3-L1 cells which were treated with differentiation cocktail at $100{\mu}g/ml$ of INXM and INXE, respectively. The anti-cancer effect of Inonotus xeranticus extracts was investigated using a method of sulforhodamine B in sarcoma 180 cell line. The cells were treated with these extracts (1, 10, 100 and $300{\mu}g/ml$) for 48 hours. The growth of cells which were treated with $300{\mu}g/ml$ of INXM was inhibited by 80.1%. The growth of sarcoma 180 cells which were treated with 100 and $300{\mu}g/ml$ of INXE was inhibited by 74.7% and 64.5%, respectively. In single oral dose toxicity study, no differences were observed between control and treated groups in clinical signs, body weight gains, and feed and water consumptions. The results indicated that Inonotus xeranticus extracts did not show any toxic effects at 2,000mg/kg in mice, and the $LD_{50}$ of these extracts was found to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg in this experiment. From the above results, Inonotus xeranticus methanol and ethyl acetate extracts might have useful clinical applications in the management of cancer and obesity and may also be useful as a medicinal food.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2015

Non-human primates (NHPs) are confirmed as reservoirs of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. In this study, 197 fresh fecal samples from 8 NHP species in Qinling Mountains, northwestern China, were collected and examined using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. The results showed that 35 (17.8%) samples were positive for tested parasites, including Cryptosporidium spp. (3.0%), G. intestinalis (2.0%), and E. bieneusi (12.7%). Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 6 fecal samples of Macaca mulatta, and were identified as C. parvum (n=1) and C. andersoni (n=5). Subtyping analysis showed Cryptosporidium spp. belonged to the C. andersoni MLST subtype (A4, A4, A4, and A1) and C. parvum 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) subtype IId A15G2R1. G. intestinalis assemblage E was detected in 3 M. mulatta and 1 Saimiri sciureus. Intra-variations were observed at the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), beta giardin (bg), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) loci, with 3, 1, and 2 new subtypes found in respective locus. E. bieneusi was found in Cercopithecus neglectus (25.0%), Papio hamadrayas (16.7%), M. mulatta (16.3%), S. sciureus (10%), and Rhinopithecus roxellana (9.5%), with 5 ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes: 2 known genotypes (D and BEB6) and 3 novel genotypes (MH, XH, and BSH). These findings indicated the presence of zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi in NHPs in Qinling Mountains. This is the first report of C. andersoni in NHPs. The present study provided basic information for control of cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and microsporidiosis in human and animals in this area.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2014

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infections affect domestic dogs, cats, and various wild mammals with increasing incidence in temperate and tropical areas. More sensitive antibody detection methodologies are required to diagnose asymptomatic dirofilariasis with low worm burdens. Applying current transcriptomic technologies would be useful to discover potential diagnostic markers for D. immitis infection. A filarial homologue of the mammalian translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was initially identified by screening the assembled transcriptome of D. immitis (DiTCTP). A BLAST analysis suggested that the DiTCTP gene shared the highest similarity with TCTP from Loa loa at protein level (97%). A histidine-tagged recombinant DiTCTP protein (rDiTCTP) of 40 kDa expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) showed immunoreactivity with serum from a dog experimentally infected with heartworms. Localization studies illustrated the ubiquitous presence of rDiTCTP protein in the lateral hypodermal chords, dorsal hypodermal chord, muscle, intestine, and uterus in female adult worms. Further studies on D. immitis-derived TCTP are warranted to assess whether this filarial protein could be used for a diagnostic purpose.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2012

We analysed the current status of development of GM crops and national biosafety framework including legislation-related agricultural GMO in China to provide the policy for the development of global GM crops in Korea. In China, several GM crops including cotton, petunia, tomato, sweet pepper, poplar, and papaya have been approved for commercialization and they have been cultivated at more than 4 million ha. In addition, GM rice and GM maize have also obtained approval for productive testing in 2009. China will be the first country to approve GM rice for commercialization. Prior to commercialization in China, all GM crops must be approved by government authority for biosafety assessment specified by national legislation including restricted field testing, enlarged field testing, productive testing and safety certificate. According to China's legislation, agricultural GMOs have been classified by research and testing, production and processing. All GMOs must go through 3 steps of field testing (restricted, enlarged and productive). Prior to conducting each field testing, it has to be approved by government authority. It is assumed that at least one to two years will be taken for each step of field testing (total 4 to 8 years to obtain the final safety certificate) along with a large amount of budget.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.219-231
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to determine the effects of the GGEx18 ethyl acetate fraction(EF) on body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, and obesity-related factors in plasma as well as histology of liver and adipose tissues using high fat diet-fed male C57BL/6N obese mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, EF(1), EF(2) and EF(3). After mice were treated with EF for 9 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also analysed histology of liver and adipose tissues on high fat diet-fed male C57BL/6N obese mice. Results : Compared with control, EF-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, EF significantly decreased the adipose tissue weight compared with control. Consistent with the effects on feeding efficiency ratio, EF significantly decreased plasma leptin concentrations compared with control. EF reduced the size of adipocytes as well as hepatic lipid accumulation compared with control. EF seems to be safe since not only the plasma levels of ALT and AST are within the normal range, but also EF did not show any toxic effects on organs. EF(3) was most effective among EF(1), EF(2), and EF(3) at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that EF effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio in high fat diet-fed obese mice, leading to the modulation of obesity. In addition, EF decreases the size of adipocytes and improves plasma lipids and controls hepatic lipid accumulation, suggesting that EF may act as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.586-592
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• 2012

Iron oxides ($Fe_3O_4$) are metabolically secreted after endocytosed by cells, indicating no cytotoxicity. Therefore, they are widely used as a contrast agent before photographing of magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles are synthesized by the co-precipitation method and subsequently immobilized with a homing peptide (AP), which specifically interacts with interleukin-4 receptor located on the membrane of endothelial and bladder cancer cells. The size of AP-immobilized iron oxide particle is about 39 nm. Intracellular uptake of the AP-immobilized iron oxide nanoparticles was investigated using bladder cancer cells and fibroblasts as the control. As the result, the nanoparticles are specificially uptaken by bladder cancer cells. However, the nanoparticles are not specificially uptaken by fibroblast. It could be said that the AP-immobilized iron oxide nanoparticles have a potential to be used as a contrast agent for early diagnosis of cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.427-434
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• 2015

Significant evidence supports the role of the vestibular system in the regulation of blood pressure during postural movements. In the present study, the role of the vestibulo-spino-adrenal (VSA) axis in the modulation of blood pressure via the vestibulosympathetic reflex was clarified by immunohistochemical and enzyme immunoassay methods in conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation. Expression of c-Fos protein in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and blood epinephrine levels were investigated, following microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists or antagonists into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension. Both microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA and AMPA) into the MVN or rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM) and SNP-induced hypotension led to increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and increased blood epinephrine levels. Pretreatment with microinjection of glutamate receptor antagonists (MK-801 and CNQX) into the MVN or RVLM prevented the increased number of c-Fos positive neurons resulting from SNP-induced hypotension, and reversed the increased blood epinephrine levels. These results indicate that the VSA axis may be a key component of the pathway used by the vestibulosympathetic reflex to maintain blood pressure during postural movements.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.534-538
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• 2013

The effects of lights with different wavelengths on the growth and the yield of extracellular polysaccharides of Nostoc flagelliforme cells were investigated in a liquid cultivation. N. flagelliforme cells were cultured for 16 days in 500 ml conical flasks containing BG11 culture medium under $27{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ of light intensity and $25^{\circ}C$ on a rotary shaker (140 rpm). The chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin contents in N. flagelliforme cells under the lights of different wavelengths were also measured. It was found that the cell biomass and the yield of polysaccharide changed with different wavelengths of light. The biomass and the yield of extracellular polysaccharides under the red or violet light were higher than those under other light colors. Chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin are the main pigments in N. flagelliforme cells. The results showed that N. flagelliforme, like other cyanobacteria, has the ability of adjusting the contents and relative ratio of its pigments with the light quality. As a conclusion, N. flagelliforme cells favor red and violet lights and perform the complementary chromatic adaptation ability to acclimate to the changes of the light quality in the environment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.159-166
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• 2004

The following study was undertaken in order to seek the acupuncture operation method of $\ll$Sang Han Lun(傷寒論)$\gg$ Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng(六經辯證). Based on the documents quoted in $\ll$Sang Hang Za Bing Lun Xu Wen(傷寒雜病論 序文)$\gg$ of "Zhang, Zhong-Jing(張仲景)", the relativity of the theory of Jing-Mai(經脈) and Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng of convalescence, and from the Liu-Jing-Bing(六經病), the origin and implication that caused Tai- Yin-Bing(太陰病) to form was studied on the basis of acupuncture medicine publications and the commentary writing of $\ll$Sang Han Lun$\gg$. As a result of the foregoing study, the author has written the following acupuncture operation on the basis of a summarized Tai-Yin-Bing for $\ll$Sang Han Lun$\gg$ Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng. Results : $\ll$Sang Han Lun$\gg$ Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng has succeeded and was developed based on Liu-Jing-Fen-Zheng(六經分證) of $\ll$Su Wen Re Lun(素問 熱論)$\gg$. In addition, the summary of Liu-Jing-Bing became the general principle of Fen-Jing(分經) and Ding-Zheng(定證) that may be applicable to Fenghan(風寒), Wenre(溫熱), Lili(疫려) and Zabing(雜病). 2. Most commentators of $\ll$Sang Han Lun$\gg$ in the Song, Ming and Ching Dynasties of $\ll$Sang Han Lun$\gg$ interpreted the Tai-Yang-Bing in physiological and pathological aspects of Rong-Wei(榮衛) as the disease of the spleen meridian. 3. From the Liu-Jing-Bing of $\ll$Sang Han Lun$\gg$, the region of acupuncture treatment of Tai-Yang-Bing is treated with the needle from the point of view of Bing-Zheng-Lun-Zhi(辨證論治) with the basis of the important region of acupuncture of the spleen meridian.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 2007

Objectives: The following study was undertaken in order to seek the acupuncture operation method of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun(傷寒論)${\gg}$ Liu-jing-Bian-Zheng(六經辨證) Methods : Based on the documents quoted in ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun ${\cdot}$ Xu Wen(傷寒雜病論 ${\cdot}$ 序文)${\gg}$ of "Zhang, Zhong-jing(張仲景)", the relativity of the theory of jing-Mai(經脈) and Liu-Jing-Bian-Zheng of convalescence, and from the Liu-jing-Bing(六經病), the origin and implication that caused Yang-Ming-Bing(陽明病) to form was studied on the basis of acupuncture medicine publications and the commentary writing of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$. Results: 1. ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$ Liu-jing-Bian-Zheng has succeeded and was developed based on Liu-jing-Fen-Zheng(六經分證) of ${\ll}$Su Wen ${\cdot}$ Re Lun(素問 ${\cdot}$ 熱論)${\gg}$. In addition, the summary of Liu-jing-Bing became the general principle of Fen-jing(分經) and Ding-Zheng(定證) that may be applicable to Fenghan(風寒), Wenre(溫熱), Lili and Zabing(雜病). 2. Most commentators of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$ in the Song, Ming and Ching Dynasties of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$ interpreted the Yang-Min-Bing in physiological and pathological aspects of Rong-Wei(榮衛) as the disease of the Stomach meridian and Large Intestine meridian. 3. From the Liu-Jing-Bing of ${\ll}$Sang Han Lun${\gg}$, the region of acupuncture treatment of Yang-Min-Bing is treated with the needle from the point of view of Bing-Zheng-Lun-Zhi(辨證論治) with the basis of the important region of acupuncture of the Stomach of meridian ${\cdot}$ Large Intestine of meridian.