• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.247-268
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• 1996

It has been known for a long time that gonadotropins and steroid hormones play a pivotal role in a series of reproductive biological phenomena including the maturation of ovarian follicles and oocytes, ovulation and implantation, maintenance of pregnancy and fetal growth & development, parturition and mammary development and lactation. Recent investigations, however, have elucidated that in addition to these classic hormones, multiple growth factors also are involved in these phenomena. Most growth factors in reproductive organs mediate the actions of gonadotropins and steroid hormones or synergize with them in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The insulin-like growth factor(IGF) system, which is one of the most actively investigated areas lately in the reproductive organs, has been found to have important roles in a wide gamut of reproductive phenomena. In the present communication, published literature pertaining to the intrauterine IGF system will be reviewed preceded by general information of the IGF system. The IGF family comprises of IGF-I & IGF-II ligands, two types of IGF receptors and six classes of IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs) that are known to date. IGF-I and IGF-II peptides, which are structurally homologous to proinsulin, possess the insulin-like activity including the stimulatory effect of glucose and amino acid transport. Besides, IGFs as mitogens stimulate cell division, and also play a role in cellular differentiation and functions in a variety of cell lines. IGFs are expressed mainly in the liver and messenchymal cells, and act on almost all types of tissues in an autocrine/paracrine as well as endocrine mode. There are two types of IGF receptors. Type I IGF receptors, which are tyrosine kinase receptors having high-affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II, mediate almost all the IGF actions that are described above. Type II IGF receptors or IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors have two distinct binding sites; the IGF-II binding site exhibits a high affinity only for IGF-II. The principal role of the type II IGF receptor is to destroy IGF-II by targeting the ligand to the lysosome. IGFs in biological fluids are mostly bound to IGFBP. IGFBPs, in general, are IGF storage/carrier proteins or modulators of IGF actions; however, as for distinct roles for individual IGFBPs, only limited information is available. IGFBPs inhibit IGF actions under most in vitro situations, seemingly because affinities of IGFBPs for IGFs are greater than those of IGF receptors. How IGF is released from IGFBP to reach IGF receptors is not known; however, various IGFBP protease activities that are present in blood and interstitial fluids are believed to play an important role in the process of IGF release from the IGFBP. According to latest reports, there is evidence that under certain in vitro circumstances, IGFBP-1, -3, -5 have their own biological activities independent of the IGF. This may add another dimension of complexity of the already complicated IGF system. Messenger ribonucleic acids and proteins of the IGF family members are expressed in the uterine tissue and conceptus of the primates, rodents and farm animals to play important roles in growth and development of the uterus and fetus. Expression of the uterine IGF system is regulated by gonadal hormones and local regulatory substances with temporal and spatial specificities. Locally expressed IGFs and IGFBPs act on the uterine tissue in an autocrine/paracrine manner, or are secreted into the uterine lumen to participate in conceptus growth and development. Conceptus also expresses the IGF system beginning from the peri-implantation period. When an IGF family member is expressed in the conceptus, however, is determined by the presence or absence of maternally inherited mRNAs, genetic programming of the conceptus itself and an interaction with the maternal tissue. The site of IGF action also follows temporal (physiological status) and spatial specificities. These facts that expression of the IGF system is temporally and spatially regulated support indirectly a hypothesis that IGFs play a role in conceptus growth and development. Uterine and conceptus-derived IGFs stimulate cell division and differentiation, glucose and amino acid transport, general protein synthesis and the biosynthesis of mammotropic hormones including placental lactogen and prolactin, and also play a role in steroidogenesis. The suggested role for IGFs in conceptus growth and development has been proven by the result of IGF-I, IGF-II or IGF receptor gene disruption(targeting) of murine embryos by the homologous recombination technique. Mice carrying a null mutation for IGF-I and/or IGF-II or type I IGF receptor undergo delayed prenatal and postnatal growth and development with 30-60% normal weights at birth. Moreover, mice lacking the type I IGF receptor or IGF-I plus IGF-II die soon after birth. Intrauterine IGFBPs generally are believed to sequester IGF ligands within the uterus or to play a role of negative regulators of IGF actions by inhibiting IGF binding to cognate receptors. However, when it is taken into account that IGFBP-1 is expressed and secreted in primate uteri in amounts assessedly far exceeding those of local IGFs and that IGFBP-1 is one of the major secretory proteins of the primate decidua, the possibility that this IGFBP may have its own biological activity independent of IGF cannot be excluded. Evidently, elucidating the exact role of each IGFBP is an essential step into understanding the whole IGF system. As such, further research in this area is awaited with a lot of anticipation and attention.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.234-242
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• 2017

This study was conducted to provide basic data of Cirsium setidens Nakai in different harvest time that will be applied for development of functional foods and ingredients. We investigated pectiolinarin and pectolinarigenin content, total flavonoids content and antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging activity and ORAC assay) of C. setidens Nakai. Our results showed that the pectolinarin and total flavonoids contents of C. setidens Nakai in harvesting time ranged from $43.13{\pm}0.22$ to $95.65{\pm}0.34mg/g$ and from $32.81{\pm}1.68$ to $40.43{\pm}0.35mg$ rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. setidens Nakai did not show differences in harvesting time. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value was highest in August (2016) extracts ($827.72{\mu}mole\;TE/g$). In addition, C. setidens Nakai exthanolic extract in harvesting time did not show any cytotoxicity up to $200{\mu}g/mL$. During adipocyte differentiation, C. setidens Nakai extract in harvesting time significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production, compared with the controls. These results suggest that C. setidens Nakai extract could be considered as a non-toxic natural resources of functional food ingredients and natural antioxidants.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2022

Regulation of the hair follicle cycle in association with dermal papilla cells is one of the most interesting targets for promoting hair regrowth. In this study, we examined whether steam-dried Betula platyphylla extracts (BPE) promote hair growth by upregulating in vitro and in vivo responses of dermal papilla cells. The data showed that BPE3 contained high amounts of phenolic compounds with higher antioxidant effects and increased hair growth-related genes, including fibroblast growth factor7 and Wnt7b, in dermal papilla cells. Notably, BPE3 effectively enhanced the formation of hair follicles by increasing FGF7, Wnt7b, and vascular endothelial growth factor in C57BL/6N dorsal skins. Additionally, BPE3 significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory repertoires, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase 2. Several small molecules, such as betulin and unsaturated fatty acids, support the pharmacological activity of BPE3. In conclusion, BPE3 effectively promoted hair growth by activating dermal papilla cells and enhancing hair follicle cycles by attenuating the inflammatory environment in the scalp.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-82
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• 2008

The volcanic sequence of the late Cretaceous Moonyu volcanic mass which distributed in the southwestern part of Ryeongnam massif, can be divided into felsic pyroclastic rocks, andesite and andesitic pyroclastic rocks, rhyolite in ascending order. The earliest volcanic activity might commence with intermittent eruptions of felsic magma during deposition of volcaniclastic sediments. Explosive eruptions of felsic pyroclastic rocks began with ash-falls, to progressed through pumice-falls and transmitted with dacitic to rhyolitic ash-flows. Subsequent andesite and andesitic pyroclastic rocks were erupted and finally rhyolite was intruded as lava domes along the fractures near the center of volcanic mass. Petrochemical data show that these rocks are calc-alkaline series and have close petrotectonic affinities with subduction-related continental margin arc volcanic province. Major element compositions range from medium-K to high-K. Petrochemical variation within the volcanic sequence can be largely accounted for tractional crystallization processes with subordinate mixing. The most mafic rocks are basaltic andesite, but low MgO and Ni contents indicate they are fractionated by fractional crystallization from earlier primary mafic magma, which derived from less than 20% partial melting of ultramafic rocks in upper mantle wedge. Based on the stratigraphy, the early volcanic rocks are zoned from lower felsic to upper andesitic in composition. The compositional zonation of magma chamber from upper felsic to lower andesitic, is interpreted to have resulted from fractionation within the chamber and replenishment by an influx of new mafic magma from depth. Replenishment and mixing is based on observations of disequilibrium phenocrysts in volcanic rocks. REE patterns show slight enrichment of LREE with differentiation from andesite to rhyolite. Rhyolite in the final stage can be derived from calc-alkaline andesite magma by fractional crystallization, but it might have underwent crustal contamination during the fractional crystallization.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.381-390
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• 2004

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation and fluorides on acid drink demineralized enamel. The materials were 30 freshly extracted permanent premolars with intact smooth enamel surfaces. They were demineralized with Coca-cola at $37^{\circ}C$ for 12hours and then irradiated by Nd:YAG laser with 6W power, $50mJ/cm^2$ energy density, and 20Hz pulse repetition. After laser irradiation, teeth were treated by three kinds of fluorides; (1)0.05% NaF fluoride solution (2)1.23% APF gel and (3)0.1%F fluoride varnish, microhardness(VHN) and Diagnodent scores were measured and the surfaces of each treated specimens were also observed with SEM under 1500 magnification. The results were as follows: 1. In the change of microhardness(VHN), it decreased to 34.68% from the initial micrhardness, increased to 78.37% after laser irradiation and increased to 82.62% after fluoride treatment, there were significant differences except when it was irradiated and treated with fluoride(P<0.05). 2. In the change of Diagnodent scores, it was decreased to 28.08% from the initial scores after demineralization, and then increased to 59.81% after laser irradiation, and increased to 82.17% after fluoride treatment. Scores were different significantly between the scores of initial, demineralization, laser irradiation and fluoride treatment(P<0.05). All the scores were not different significantly between fluoride types. 3. SEM observation showed that the lased enamel surfaces after demineralization were thermally degenerated and showed molten lava-like appearance and crater with cracks and many microholes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2017

Mori Folium, the leaf of Morus alba, is a traditional medicinal herb that shows various pharmacological activities such as antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antimelanogenesis, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiallergic, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the mechanisms of their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis by ethanol extracts of Mori Folium (EEMF) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment with EEMF suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in the lipid droplet number and lipid content through Oil Red O staining. EEMF significantly reduced the accumulation of cellular triglyceride, which is associated with a significant inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\beta}$). In addition, EEMF potentially downregulated the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and leptin. Furthermore, EEMF treatment effectively increased the phosphorylation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC); however, treatment with a potent inhibitor of AMPK, compound C, significantly restored the EEMF-induced inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes. These results together indicate that EEMF has preeminent effects on the inhibition of adipogenesis through the AMPK signaling pathway, and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds in Mori Folium.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.650-657
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the suppressive effect of acorn extracts, by evaluating 70% ethanol extract (AE) and hot water extract (AW) using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We applied various levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and $500 {\mu}g/mL$) of AE and AW to 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The cell viability of the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was not affected by up $300 {\mu}g/mL$ of extracts, but was suppressed by level $500{\mu}g/mL$ of both AE and AW by 20% and 9% respectively. The accumulation of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was dose-dependently suppressed by AE and AW. Especially, at high concentrations ($300{\mu}g/mL$), AE (42%) was more effective than AW (41%). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also dose-dependently suppressed by treatment with AE (58%) and AW (52%). With regard to the mRNA related to differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and aP2 were suppressed by treatment with AE (54 and 40%) and AW (38 and 18%). From our results, acorn extract (AE) has more suppressive effects than AW in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We therefore concluded that acorn has suppressive effects against obesity in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells due to antioxidation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.729-735
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• 2010

In our previous study, it was reported that an herbal mixture, SH21B, inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo models of obesity. SH21B is a mixture composed of seven herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Prunus armeniaca Maxim, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Acorus gramineus Soland, Typha orientalis Presl, Polygala tenuifolia Willd, and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner (Ratio 3:3:3:3:3:2:2). The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms of the effects of SH21B on various regulators of the adipogenesis pathway. During the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, SH21B significantly decreased the expression levels of central transcription factors of adipogenesis, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)$\gamma$ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)$\alpha$. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effects of SH21B, we examined the expression levels of the various pro-adipogenic or anti-adipogenic regulators of adipogenesis upstream of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$. The mRNA levels of Krox20 and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 15, which are pro-adipogenic regulators, were significantly down-regulated by SH21B treatment, whereas the mRNA levels of C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and KLF5 were not changed. KLF2 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which are anti-adipogenic regulators, were significantly up-regulated by SH21B treatment. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effect of SH21B involves both the down-regulations of pro-adipogenic regulators, such as Krox20 and KLF15, and the up-regulations of anti-adipogenic regulators, such as KLF2 and CHOP, which results in the suppression of central transcription factors of adipogenesis including $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 2022

The goal of this study was to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of radish leaf extracts (MU-C) and radish leaf extracts with 3% citric acid (MU-CA) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 mice. The effects of radish leaf extracts on adipogenesis were also investigated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. As determined by Oil red O staining, MU-C inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 6 weeks and then treated with radish leaf extracts (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 6 weeks. Then, the serum levels of Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Total cholesterol, Triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the mice were measured using an automatic chemical analyzer and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of MU-C significantly reduced the fat weight when compared with HFD controls. As confirmed by histopathologic analysis, adipose tissue size markedly decreased in mice treated with MU-C. Therefore, this study could provide a basis for investigating the clinical use of MU-C as an agent for preventing obesity.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 1998

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been widely used to treat couples with infertility due to severely impaired sperm charateristics and for whom conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF) had failed. The extent to which the morphology of the oocyte at the light microscopy level is related to the results of ICSI vis controversial. In this study, oocytes from 44 patients were reviewed. The ICSI procedure was recorded through CCD camera. The oocytes were divided into five groups according to the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions, the width of perivitelline space (PVS), the presence of cell debris in PVS, the status of first polar body and the flexibility of oolemma. The results showed that the fertilization rate and embryonic development were not associated with the morphological criteria of oocyte. The degeneraton rate of oocytes after ICSI was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the oocytes whose membranes were broken at the moment of insertion (17.7%) than the oocytes whose membranes were broken by aspiration of cytoplasm (1.6%). More oocytes with cytoplasmic inclusions (48.4% vs. 25.1%, p<0.001), wide PVS (35.2% vs. 19.0%, p<0.001), or cell debris in PVS (53.3% vs. 38.4%, p<0.05) were observed in patients with female factor infertility compared to patients with male factor infertility. These results .suggest that the fertilization rate and embryonic development after ICSI are not correlated with oocyte morphology based on the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions, size of PVS, the presence of cell debris in PVS and the status of polar body. And the degeneration rate of oocytes after ICSI was associated with the flexibility of oolemma.