• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.343-351
• /
• 2020

Sorbus commixta Hedl. has traditionally been used as a remedy for cough, asthma, and other bronchial disorders. In this study, three major triterpenoids-lupeol, β-sitosterol, and ursolic acid and a coumarin, scopoletin, were isolated from a CHCl₃-soluble fragment of the bark of S. commixta. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses, including mass spectrometry (MS), 1D-, and 2D- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), as well as by comparing the data with data reported in the literature. Scopoletin was isolated from this plant for the first time. It is a nutraceutical compound contained in many plants that has been reported to exert diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the inhibitory effect of scopoletin on TNF-α-induced vascular endothelial inflammation. Unlike the marginal impact of other compounds against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and vascular endothelial inflammation, scopoletin showed remarkable activity on LDL oxidation (IC₅₀ = 10.2 μM) and exerted vascular anti-inflammatory effects in EA.hy926 human endothelial cells activated by TNF-α. It suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin, and blocked the adhesion between THP-1 monocytes and EA. hy926 endothelial cells. It also inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. Moreover, IκBα phosphorylation, which was increased by TNF-α treatment, was reduced after treatment with scopoletin. Thus, scopoletin inhibited TNF-α-induced vascular inflammation in endothelial cells by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that owing to its anti-inflammatory activity in the vascular endothelium, scopoletin has the potential to inhibit atherosclerosis development.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.370-378
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2 s.69
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2005

The aim of this study was to examine the fluctuation in phytoplankton assemblages with regarding to environmental conditions and nutrients, which were surveyed quarterly over the fours seasons (February, May, July, and October). In turn, an understanding of biological effects should provide insights into a wide range of initiated Cochlodinium blooms in Narodo. Sampling was carried out throughout 2001 on the coasts of Busan (St. 1), Yeosu (St. 2), Narodo (St. 3), Kohung (St. 4), and Kwangdo (St. 5). The maximum surface water temperature was recorded in July, and it ranged from 20 to $22^{\circ}C$. Salinity showed no great variation, which maintained itself in the range of 29-34 psu. The maximum surface salinity was recorded in February, which was about 34 psu. The chlorophyll $\alpha$ concentration of the surface water ranged from 0.01 to $1.3\;{\mu}g\;1^{-1}$. The concentrations of $NH_{4}-N $ were persistently high from February to October; in particular, the peak was observed at St. 1 in February and May (0.15 and $0.19\;{\mu}mol\;1^{-1}$, respectively), while it was detected at St. 2 in July and October (0.22 and $2.2\;{\mu}mol\;1^{-1}$ respectively). Similar trends to those for $NH_4-N $ were observed in the concentrations of $NO_{2}-N$ and $NO_{3}-N$. In contrast to nitrogen, a distinct peak of $NO_{4}-P$ at St. 3, 4, and 5 was observed throughout year $(0.01-0.1\;{\mu}mol\;1^{-1}$ except for October. At St. 1 encounter a peak of cell number of 30,000 and $13{\times}10^3$ cells $1^{-1}$, respectively, in July and October. During the period of this study, the majority of the taxa were diatoms. The dinoflagellates were rather abundant after February, in particular at St. 3, 4, and 5 which attained an abundance of $10\~20\%$without marked fluctuation during the period of this study. At St. 3, the highest average cell width, $178.11\;{\mu}m$, was recorded: the highest cell length, $337.72\;{\mu}m$, was measured in July. Consequently, dinoflagellates bloom in July at Narodo influenced by warm water current are not only associated with a desirable development of cell morphometric characteristics, but also with the health growth of C. polykrikoides. During the period of this study, warm water currents caused an increased water temperature in Narodo, but did not change the amount of nutrients.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2 s.69
• /
• pp.261-266
• /
• 2005

To figure out conserved genes in 66 microbial species and measuring the degree of conservation, analyses based on COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins) algorithm were applied. Sixty-six microbial genomes, including three eukaryotes, hold 63 conserved orthologs in common. The majority $(82.5\%)$ of the conserved genes was related to translation, meaning the importance of protein in living creatures. Ribosomal protein S12 (COG0048) and L14 (COG0093) were more conserved genes than others from the distance value analysis. Phylogenetically related microbes grouped in genome analysis by average and standard deviation of 63 conserved genes. The 63 conserved genes, found in this research, would be useful in basic research and applied ones such as antibiotic development.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.780-787
• /
• 2006

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, which characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness, reversible airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms. Internationally, the prevalence of asthma has been increased over last 3 decades. Recently, several studies of asthma have been reported with gradually increasing importance. To tesify the hypothesis that interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 may be an important determinant of the severity of airway inflammation, their expression was studied in mouse model of asthma. BALB/c mouse, IL-4 Knockout (KO) mouse and IL-10 KO mouse were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin adsorbed to aluminum potassium sulfate, followed by challenges with intranasal ovalbumin on 3 consecutive days. The severity of pulmonary inflammation was assessed by eosinophilia in BAL fluid, number of total BAL cells, histopathological changes in lung tissues, and immunohistochemical staining against IL-4 and IL-10. In BAL fluid, the number of total cells was significantly increased in asthma induced mouse compare to the control. In asthma induced mouse, eosinophil was increased to 56% and neutrophil was 0.2%. In H &E stains, eosinophilic infiltration and epithelium hyperplasia were clearly noticed in asthma induced mouse. In immunohistochemical staining for IL-4 and IL-10, there was no positive reaction in control group. However, very strong reactions were appeared in asthma induced group. In this research, IL-4 and IL-10, which seem to play a central role in allergic asthma, KO mouse was utilized to test the causative relationship between airway inflammation and role of specific cytokine. Asthma induced IL-4 and IL-10 KO mice showed much decreased inflammatory reactions in the number of total BAL cells, in eosinophilic infiltration, and in immunohistochemical stains against diverse inflammatory proteins. These results suggest that IL-4 and IL-10 increase the asthmatic reactions in vivo mice model.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.74-81
• /
• 2016

Ureaplasma species can normally colonize in the bodies of healthy individuals. Their colonization is associated with various diseases including non-gonococcal urethritis, chorioamnionitis, neonatal meningitis, and prematurity. In 2012, the sum of the resistant and intermediate resistant rates of Ureaplasma spp. to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin was 66.08% and 92.69%, respectively. DNA point mutations in the genes encoding DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV are commonly responsible for fluoroquinolone resistance. Each enzyme is composed of two subunits encoded by gyrA and gyrB genes for DNA gyrase and parC and parE genes for topoisomerase IV. In the current study, these genes were sequenced in order to determine the role of amino acid substitutions in Ureaplasma spp. clinical isolates. From December 2012 to May 2013, we examined mutation patterns of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) in Ureaplasma spp. DNA sequences in the QRDR region of Ureaplasma clinical isolates were compared with those of reference strains including U. urealyticum serovar 8 (ATCC 27618) and U. parvum serovar 3 (ATCC 27815). Mutations were detected in all ofloxacin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates, however no mutations were detected in drug-susceptible isolates. Most of the mutations related to fluoroquinolone resistance occurred in the parC gene, causing amino acid substitutions. Newly found amino acid substitutions in this study were Asn481Ser in GyrB; Phe149Leu, Asp150Met, Asp151Ile, and Ser152Val in ParC; and Pro446Ser and Arg448Lys in ParE. Continuous monitoring and accumulation of mutation data in fluoroquinolone-resistant Ureaplasma clinical isolates are essential to determining the tendency and to understanding the mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.350-358
• /
• 2017

The hemolysis index (HI) is semi-quantitative marker for hemolysis. Because the characteristics of the HI vary from one commercial platform to another, no standardization or harmonization of the HI is currently available. Specimens (N=40) randomly selected from clinical patients were artificially hemolyzed in vitro. The serum of the specimens was then diluted with a 20 mg/dL difference between 0~300 mg/dL based on serum hemoglobin measured using the XE-2100 hematology automation equipment (Sysmex, Japan). Diluted serum was measured using the Hitachi-7600 biochemical automation equipment (Hitachi, Japan) to differentiate between HI and serum hemoglobin. The data showed linearity between HI and serum hemoglobin and that HI 1 contained approximately 20 mg/dL of serum hemoglobin. To determine the blood rejection threshold, the HI was divided into three groups: HI 0~1, HI 4~6, HI 9~15. After another batch of clinical specimens (N=40) was measured using a Hitachi-7600 (Hitachi, Japan), each specimen was moved forward and backward with the piston of the syringe to induce an artificial in vitro hemolysis, then measured again with a Hitachi-7600 (Hitachi, Japan). The percentage difference between the three groups was analyzed by ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test. In the post-test, there were significant differences between the HI 0~1 and the HI 5~6: Glucose, creatinine, total protein, AST, direct bilirubin, uric acid, phosphorus, triglyceride, LDH, CPK, Magnesium, and potassium levels. Because many clinical tests differed significantly, the threshold for hemolysis could be appropriate for HI 5 (serum hemoglobin 100 mg/dL).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.390-394
• /
• 2017

Unexpected antibody screening and identification tests are highly important in the prevention of hemolytic transfusion reactions. Therefore, it is highly recommended to perform unexpected antibody screening test in all transfusion candidates. Here, the frequency and distribution of unexpected antibodies identified in Jeju for the past 3 years were evaluated. Between Jan 2014 and Dec 2016, unexpected antibody screening test was performed for 10,360 sera of transfusion candidates in Jeju general hospital using a column agglutination method with the Ortho BioVue system (Ortho-clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA). Eighty-seven (0.84%) of 10,360 cases that underwent unexpected antibiotics screening showed positive results. Among them, unexpected antibodies were identified in 41 cases (0.40%). Unidentified antibodies were detected in 8 cases (19.51%) and autoantibodies were detected in 3 cases (7.32%). The anti-E antibody included in warm antibodies were detected most frequently in 8 cases (19.51%); 6 cases (14.63%) of anti-E + anti-c antibody and 3 cases (7.32%) of $anti-Le^a+anti-Le^b$. $Anti-Le^a$ and $anti-Le^b$ antibodies were detected in 2 cases (4.88%), respectively. The anti-D, $anti-Di^a$, $anti-Fy^b$, $anti-Jk^a$, $anti-Jk^b$, anti-M and anti-P1 were detected in 1 case (2.44%). Complex antibodies were detected in 1 case (2.44%) in anti-C+anti-D and anti-E+anti-c+$anti-Jk^b$, respectively. In this study, we analyzed the frequency and distribution of unexpected antibodies in one general hospital for the past 3 years. However, there has been a general increase in multicultural families and foreign workers in Jeju, and it would be a meaningful study to compare the frequency and distribution of unexpected antibodies.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.156-163
• /
• 1995

The practical shelf-life of pasteurized Korean rice wine ‘Yakju’, aseptically packed in Tetra-pak, was determined. The test sample products were stored at $4^{\circ}C,\;20^{\circ}C,\;30^{\circ}C\;and\;35^{\circ}C$ for 19 weeks, and the quality assessment was made at two weeks interval. The quality parameters evaluated were pH, acidity, reducing sugar, absorbance at 370 nm, total and acid producing bacteria, yeast and mold, and sensory quality. No meaningful changes of pH and reducing sugar were noticed during the storage for 19 weeks at temperatures tested. The absorbance at 370 nm increased slightly during storage. The total numbers of microorganisms in the product decreased during storage and a drastical reduction of acid producing bacteria was observed after 6 weeks of storage. Both yeast and mold were not found in the pasteurized products. The sensory quality of stored rice-wine was evaluated by triangle test and scoring test. The panels could distinguish the product stored at $4^{\circ}C$ from other products stored at the higher temperatures for over 6 weeks. The overall acceptance of the product decreased gradually during storage, and the rate constants for the changes were $7.93{\times}10^{-3},\;at\;20^{\circ}C,\;9.69{\times}10^{-3}\;at\;30^{\circ}C\;and\;13.4{\times}10^{-3}\;at\;35^{\circ}C$, respectively. The activation energy estimated by Arrhenius equation was 24,795 kJ/kmol. The estimated shelf-life of Yakju pasteurized and aseptically packed was 24 months at $10^{\circ}C$, 16 months at $25^{\circ}C$ and 14 months at $25^{\circ}C$. The shelf-life of Yakju in Seoul was calculated to be 20 months, based on the monthly average temperature of the city.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.151-155
• /
• 1995

In order to understand some physicochemical and functional properties of whey powders, imported and domestic products were analyzed. The pH values of imported whey powder solution were $5.85{\sim}6.33$, while those of domestic $5.70{\sim}6.43$. The titratable acidity values of imported whey powders were $0.11{\sim}0.18%$, while those of domestic products $0.10{\sim}0.24%$. The contents of moisture, crude ash, protein, lipid and lactose of the imported whey powder were $1.31{\sim}2.10%,\;7.37{\sim}7.49%,\;11.54{\sim}12.14%,\;0.82{\sim}1.40%\;and\;64.43{\sim}72.66%$, respectively, while those of domestic products $2.11{\sim}2.81%,\;5.39{\sim}8.03%,\;10.41{\sim}20.03%,\;1.88{\sim}2.54%\;and\;54.32{\sim}68.42%$, respectively. The active SH group contents of imported whey powders were $0.36{\sim}0.82{\mu}M/g$, while those of domestic products ranged $0.29{\sim}4.83{\mu}M/g$. The protein solubility of imported whey powders were $54.50{\sim}82.26%$, while that of domestic products $26.93{\sim}68.44%$. The emulsifying capacity and the emulsion stability of imported whey powders were $5.83{\sim}12.53cm^{2}/g$ and $10.24{\sim}12.45%$, respectively, while those of domestic products $6.19{\sim}11.28cm^{2}/g$ and $7.28{\sim}9.93%$, respectively. The foam overrun and stability of imported whey powders were $4.34{\sim}5.54%$ and $0.49{\sim}0.66%$, respectively, while those of domestic products $2.56{\sim}4.24%$ and $0.15{\sim}0.35%$, respectively.