• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.729-733
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• 2014

Laminaria japonica roots have not been used practically in Korea. In this study, in order to promote the use of these by-products, the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica root (LJREE) was investigated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects of LJREE, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and cell proliferation were measured. We found that NO levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, the production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was suppressed, and the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was inhibited over 30% after treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ LJREE. In conclusion, the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, measured by MTT assay, confirmed that LJREE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors without any cytotoxicity, making it a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 1996

The effects of growth regulators, sucrose and gelling agents were investigated to increase the efficiency of the callus growth and plant regenerarion in tissue culture of Angelica koreana Max. The fresh weight and dry weight of subcultured callus was highest in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2,4-D. Callus growth was excellent in 2% sucrose, but it was inhibited in propotion to sucrose content. Effect of gelling agents on callus growth was highest on 1.2% agar and 0.4% Gelrite medium, respectively. The browning of callus was protected on the media supplemented with 10 mg/l ABA and 5 or 10 mg/l $AgNO_3$. In the callus induction and growth from the peduncle of immature inflorescence, 2,4-D was more effective than NAA, and the frequency of callus induction was highest as 81.7% in 2 mg/l 2,4-D. Plant was not regenerated from the callus derived from young leaf. Somatic embryos were developed from the surface of callus drived from the peduncle of immature inflorescence in the medium containing 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D, 1 mg/l kinetin, 5 mg/l ABA and 5 mg/l $AgNO_3$. Plants were developed from the matured somatic embryos in the medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D and 1 mg/l kinetin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.410-420
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• 2019

Citrus unshiu peel extracts possess a variety of beneficial effects, and studies on their anticancer activity have been reported. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this activity remain unclear. In the current study, the apoptotic effect of ethanol extract of C. unshiu peel (EECU) on human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells and related mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that the survival rate of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with EECU was significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. EECU-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9, which initiate extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, a representative effect caspase. EECU suppressed the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis family of proteins, leading to an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. EECU also enhanced the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol, along with truncation of Bid. In addition, EECU activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, significantly weakened EECU-induced apoptosis and cell viability reduction. Furthermore, EECU promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which acted as upstream signals for AMPK activation as pretreatment of cells, with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine reversing both EECU-induced AMPK activation and apoptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that EECU inhibits MDA-MB-231 adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by activating intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, which was mediated through ROS/AMPK-dependent pathways.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2002

Purpose: Thin glomerular basement membrane nephropathy (TGBMN) is recognized as the leading cause of microscopic hematuria in both children and adults. However thinning of glomerular basement membrane (TCBM) has been found in healthy adult and also is known to be associated with various renal diseases such as Alport syndronh, IgA nephropathy and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. The association of TGBM with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) has been very rare so that the present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between TGBM and MCNS. Methods: The study population consisted of 49 children with biopsy- proven MCNS who have been admitted to the pediatric department of Kyungpook University Hospital during the past 5 years from 1997 to 2001. Group I consisted of 8 children associated with TGBM and Group II 41 children without TCBM. Various parameters such as age of illness, duration from discovery of illness to the time of biopsy, family history of hematuria and other laboratory tests were compared between these two groups and the following results were obtained. Results: Age distribution showed slightly older age in Group I ($7.1{\pm}3.5$ years) compared to Group II ($4.8{\pm}2.9$ years). However this was not statistically different (P=0.056). Family history of hematuria was noted in 2 cases in Group II. Though statistically not significant, hematuria was seen in 2 out of 8 cases ($25\%$) in MCNS children with TGBM, compared to 7 out of 41 cases ($17\%$) with MCNS children without TGBM. Other parameters such as BUN, creatinine, 24 hours urine protein excretion, serum protein, albumin, cholesterol, and T4/T8 ratio, showed no difference. Also renal biopsy finding showed no significant difference and the thickness of glomerular basement membrane in Croup I was $188{\pm}30nm$. Conclusion: TGBM was found in 8 out of 49 children with MCNS ($16.3\%$). And this high frequency of occurrence indicates that these association is not an incidental findings. Typical clinical findings of TCBMN was not noted in all of the 8 children with MCNS associated with TGBM, suggesting that thinning of glomerular basement membrane (TCBN) is secondary to rather than the cause of MCNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2002;6: 48-55)

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.14.2-15
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• 1982

Serous otitis media (SOM) is one of the most common otologic diseases which was first discribed by Politzer in 1869. Currentely, among many methods introduced to treat SOM, ventilation tube insertion is considered to be the most popular and standard method being used. However due to complication of it, there remains many disputable various problems. In order to review the clinical aspect of SOM and search for the effects and safety of ventilation tube, we studied 97 SOM patients, who had performed V-tube from Jan. 1981 to Feb. 1982 at ENT dept. of Severance Hospital. Analizing the clinical symptoms, age distribution, associated disease, otoscopic findings of ear drum, degree of hearing loss, hearing gain after insertion of V-tube and complications, following results were obtained. 1) As a subjective symptom, among 29 cases all patients had hearing loss, 19 cases (65.6%) had tinnitus, 12 cases (44.4%) had autophony and 10 cases (34.5%) of the patients had sensation of ear fullness. 2) In age distribution, 6 to 10 year old group was most numerous up to 42 cases (43.3%) and 20 years and over was 23 cases (23.5%) 3) In adult group SOM tend to be involved unilaterally whereas young child group had tendency involving bilaterally. 4) 49 cases (50.05%) were associated with tonsillitis and adenoid vegetation, 15 cases (15.5%) were associated with sinusitis, 4 cases (4.1%) had nasal allergy. 5) In preoperative otoscopic findings, 62 ears (47.7%) had retraction, 37 ears (23.6%) had bulging, 34 ears (21.7%) had color change, and 29 ears (19.7%) had no significant findings. 6) In characteristics of middle ear fluid, child group was tend to have mucinous content (84.2%) while adult group had serous content (62.5%). 7) Average preoperative air-bone gap of pure tone was 25.3 dB. 8) 24 ears (72.7%) had over 10 dB of postoperative hearing gain and average hearing gain was 17.2 dB. 9) There were 44 ears (28.1%) of complications. Among them 37 ears (23.6%) had infection, 3 ears had atelectasis, 2 ears had granulation tissue, 2 ears had permanent perforations. 10) Among 37 ears suffered from post-op. infection, 19 ears (51.4%) had initial infection just after insertion of ventilation tube, 18 ears (48.6%) were infected during the course of post-ventilation tube. Of 37 infected ears, 26 ears (70.3%) responded to conservative care, while 11 ears (29.7%) was cured after removal of ventilation tube.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.150-160
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by eczematous lesions, skin dryness, and pruritus. The existing treatment drugs for AD have side effects, especially if the drugs are taken for extended periods. Therefore, new alternative therapies are necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of curcumin administration and LED irradiation on AD. AD-like lesions were induced in BALB/c mice by repeated application of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) to the shaved skin of the ear and neck. Thirty male BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: vehicle, DNCB, curcumin, LED, and curcumin+LED groups. Curcumin (0.1 g/kg/day) was administrated repeatedly during a period of 14 days (experimental period) and 630 nm LED irradiation ($5J/cm^2/day$) was performed in the acryl box once a day for 10 days, after inducing AD-like lesions via DNCB application. The severity of AD-like lesions was evaluated during the experimental period, using a modified SCORAD index. Both ear and neck skin tissues were examined histologically for epidermal thickness, mast cell, eosinophil counting, and dermal collagen density. Epidermal cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using immunohistochemistry and TUNEL, respectively. These were all reduced in SCORAD index, epidermal thickness, collagen density, number of mast cell and eosinophil in dermis, and number of proliferating cell and apoptotic cell in epidermis by curcumin administration and 630 nm LED irradiation. Moreover, all parameters were significantly lower in the curcumin+LED group compared with the curcumin group and LED group. These results suggest that the combined therapy of curcumin and LED is more effective than a single treatment. We recommend that this can be a feasible alternative therapy to manage AD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1244-1251
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• 2014

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been known to possess many biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activity and anti-obesity and hyperlipidemia effects. However, little research has been conducted regarding its anticancer effects, with the exception of its ability to stimulate apoptosis in skin cells. There has also been no study regarding PG-induced autophagy. The modulation of autophagy is recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer and the context, autophagy can suppress or help cancer cells to overcome metabolic stress and the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether or not extracts from PG-induced cell death were connected with autophagy and apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells. PG stimulation decreased cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, which was partially dependent on the activation of caspases. PG treatment also resulted in the formation of autophagic vacuoles simultaneously with regulation of autophagy-related genes. Interestingly, a PG-mediated apoptotic effect was further triggered by pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenin and bafilomycin A1. However, cell viability recovered quite well with bafilomycin A1 treatment. These findings show that PG treatment promotes both autophagy and apoptosis and that PG-induced autophagic response might play a role in the autophagic cell death of HCT-116 cells.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are significant opportunistic pathogens in hospitals and are resistant to most antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) and A. baumannii (MDRAB) cause severe human nosocomial infections and are more difficult to treat than methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Bifidobacteria are among of the most beneficial probiotics and have been widely studied for their antimicrobial activities. The present study explored the antimicrobial activity of Bifidobacterium sp. isolated from healthy Koreans against MDRPA and MDRAB. The antimicrobial activity of the isolates against MDRPA and MDRAB, which are resistant to ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, gentamicin, meropenem, and ceftazidime, was determined by modified broth microdilution methods using absorbance. Among all tested bifidobacteria isolates (nine B. adolescentis, three B. longum, and two B. pseudocatenulatum), the culture supernatant of B. pseudocatenulatum SPM1309 showed a strong growth inhibitory effect against MDRPA and MDRAB. No change in the turbidity of the mixture was observed during incubation, and its inhibitory effect occurred through bacteriostastic action. Moreover, the antibacterial activity was observed in the fraction with molecular weights <10 kDa of bifidobacteria culture supernatant, and the active fraction was heat-stable because it maintained its activity when heated at $70^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. The results suggest that this Bifidobacterium strain could have potential applications for alternative therapy in MDRPA and MDRAB infections.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2010

Medical metal stents inserted to patients with a cardiovascular disease associated with coronary artery system have relatively increased the survival rate. The development of new stents is, however, urgently required due to restenosis and late thrombosis generated in metal stents. To solve these problems, the biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly(L-lactide)(PLLA), and poly ($\varepsilon$-caprolactone)(PCL) were mixed with alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which is well known to inhibit the proliferation of neointimal hyperplasia. Subsequently, the ALA-loaded polymers were coated on stainless steel by electrospray. The drug-eluting behaviors from the coated polymers were investigated according to kinds and concentrations of polymers, spray rates, and kinds of solvents. The drug-eluting rate from PCL with the lowest glass transition temperature was the fastest among three polymers and followed by PLGA and PLLA. The surface roughness increased as the spray rate was increased and also the drug-eluting rate was affected by kinds of solvents with different boiling point. It is expected that drug-eluting stent (DES) coated with ALA-loaded polymers can be applied practically for clinical applications by controlling the behavior of drug release.

• Proceedings of the Korean Journal of Food and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.124-124
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• 2001

난소화성전분(resistant starch, RS)는 건강한 사람의 소장에서 흡수되지 않는 전분과 분해된 전분의 산물을 총칭하는데. 대장에서 발효와 미생물성장, 식후 혈당, 변부피, 장통과시간, 식품의 열량가 등에 영향을 미치므로 생리적인 이점을 갖는다. 본 연구에서는 고지방식이와 콜레스테롤을 섭취란 흰쥐에서 제조과정이 다른 RS의 섭취가 저 열량원으로서 체중감소나 혈액내 지방성분을 낮추는 효과가 있는지를 알아보는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 연구방법으로 실험동물은 생후 4주된 Sprague-Dawl ey계 수컷 흰쥐로, 지방을 식이 무게의 20%, 콜레스테롤이 식이 무게의 1%로 첨가 된 고지방식이로 6주를 사육시켜 비만과 고콜레스테롤증을 유발시켰다. 고콜레스테롤이 유발된 실험동물은 섭취하는 전분의 형태가 다른 실험식이로 4주간을 더 사육하였고 사육기간이 끝난 실험동물들은 희생하여 생화학적인 실험- 혈액과 간의 총지방양, 중성지방양, 콜레스테롤양을 측정하였고, 면역능력으로 비장세포 증식, 혈장내 IgG, $C_3$양을 측정하였고. 혈장내 leptin 양을 측정하였다. 실험결과는 체중과 체내 저장지방무게가 난소화성전분 혼합군(RSNE)에서 유의적으로 감소하였다. 혈장내 지방성분을 보면, 총 지방의 경우 고지방대조군(HC)이 저지방 대조군(LC)에 비래 유의적으로 높았으며, RS를 섭취하면 유의적으로 낮아지는 경향을 보여 저지방을 섭취한 LC군에 비해서 낮은 수치를 나타내고 있다. 혈장 중성지방은 저지방 즉 고 탄수화물식이를 섭취하는 LC군이 유의적으로 높았으며 고지방을 섭취하는 경우는 실험군에 차이가 없었다. 혈장 총 콜레스테롤은 LC군에 비해 고지방과 콜레스테롤을 섭취하는 HC군이 유의적으로 높았으며. RSNE군에서는 유의적인 감소를 보였다. HDL-콜레스테롤에서는 실험군간에 차이가 없었다. 간내 총지방과 콜레스테롤량, 중성지방량은 LC군이 다른 군에 비해 유의적으로 적었으며 고지방섭취군들은 섭취하는 전분의 종류에 따른 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 면역능력을담당하는 체내 기관인 비장세포의 중식능력은 실험군간에 유의적인 차이가 없으나 혈장의 Ig G 양은 RSNE군이 유의적으로 높고, $C_3$ 양은 난소화성 전분 추출군(RSEX)에서 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. 혈장에서의 leptin 농도는 고지방 대조군인 HC군이 유의적으로 높았으며, RSNE군이 LC군과 같이 유의적으로 낮았다. 결론으로 난소화성 전분(RS)를 식이무게의 10%로 첨가하는 수준에서 순수한 RS보다는 RS제조과정 중 순수한 RS를 분리하기 전 단계인 RS를 포함한 전분이 체중감소, 체내 저장지방감소, 혈액 내 콜레스테롤을 저하시키는 효과를 보였다. 그러므로 RS의 섭취는 섭취형태에 따라 저 열량원으로, 혈액 내 지방성분을 낮추는 효과를 가진 기능성 식품소재로 사용될 수 있을 것이다.