• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.277-286
• /
• 2023

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function. It is a natural part of aging and can lead to decreased mobility and increased frailty. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which is involved in muscle protein degradation, is closely linked to sarcopenia. Germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis hydrolysate (GRH) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but there have been no reports on its inhibitory effect on muscle reduction. However, no study has yet explored the relationship between GRH and muscle loss inhibition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of GRH on muscle atrophy inhibitory activity in dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy C2C12 myotubes and mouse models. Moreover, we identified a molecular pathway underlying the effects of GRH on skeletal muscle. May Grunwald-Giemsa staining showed that the length and area of myotubes increased in the groups treated with GRH. In addition, the GRH-treated group significantly reduced the expression of muscle ring finger protein 1 and muscular atrophy F-box (MAFbx) in the Dexa-induced muscular atrophy C2C12 model. GRH also improved muscle strength in C57BL/6 mice with Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, resulting in prolonged running exhaustive time and increased grip strength. We found that muscle strengthening by GRH was correlated with a decreased expression of the MAFbx gene in mouse muscle tissue. In conclusion, GRH can attenuate Dexa-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway via downregulation of the MAFbx gene expression.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.83-92
• /
• 2023

In this study, bioconversion of rutin to quercetin was confirmed by the fermentation of Korean indigenous probiotics and tartary buckwheat. Based on whole genome sequencing of 17 probiotics species, α-rhamnosidase, related to bioconversion of isoquercetin (quercetin 3-β-D glucoside) from rutin, is identified in the genome of CBT BG7, LC5, LR5, LP3, LA1, and LGA1. β-Glucosidase, related to bioconversion of isoquercetin to quercetin, is identified in the genome of all 17 species. Among the 17 probiotics species, 6 probiotics including CBT BG7, LR5, LP3, LA1, LGA1 and ST3 performed the bioconversion of rutin to quercetin up to 21.5 ± 0.3% at 7 days after fermentation. The fermentation of each probiotics together with enzyme complex Cellulase KN^® was conducted to reduce the time of bioconversion. As a result, CBT LA1 which showed the highest yield of bioconversion of 21.5 ± 0.3% when the enzyme complex was not added showed high bioconversion yield of 84.6 ± 0.5% with adding the enzyme complex at 1 day after fermentation. In particular, CBT ST3 (96.2 ± 0.4%), SL6 (90.1 ± 1.4%) and LP3 (90.0 ± 0.4%) showed high yield of bioconversion more than 90%. In addition, such probiotics including high levels in quercetin indicated the inhibitory effects of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In this study, we confirmed that the fermentation of Korean indigenous probiotics and enzyme complex together with roasted tartary buckwheat increased the content of quercetin and reduced the time of bioconversion of rutin to quercetin which is a bioactive compound related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetes.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.307-325
• /
• 2023

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of people who are tired of living indoors visiting nearby mountains and national parks to relieve depression and lethargy has exploded. There is a place where thousands of people who came out of nature stop walking and breathe and rest, that is the mineral spring. Even in mountains or national parks, there are about 600 mineral springs that can be found occasionally in neighboring parks or trails in the metropolitan area. However, due to irregular and manual water quality tests, people drink mineral water without knowing the test results in real time. Therefore, in this study, we intend to develop a model that can predict the quality of the spring water in real time by exploring the factors affecting the quality of the spring water and collecting data scattered in various places. After limiting the regions to Seoul and Gyeonggi-do due to the limitations of data collection, we obtained data on water quality tests from 2015 to 2020 for about 300 mineral springs in 18 cities where data management is well performed. A total of 10 factors were finally selected after two rounds of review among various factors that are considered to affect the suitability of the mineral spring water quality. Using AutoML, an automated machine learning technology that has recently been attracting attention, we derived the top 5 models based on prediction performance among about 20 machine learning methods. Among them, the catboost model has the highest performance with a prediction classification accuracy of 75.26%. In addition, as a result of examining the absolute influence of the variables used in the analysis through the SHAP method on the prediction, the most important factor was whether or not a water quality test was judged nonconforming in the previous water quality test. It was confirmed that the temperature on the day of the inspection and the altitude of the mineral spring had an influence on whether the water quality was unsuitable.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.421-427
• /
• 2022

In this study, Jeju Tatary buckwheat tea's chemical composition and physiological activities were compared according to the leaching temperature (60, 80, 100 ℃). As the leaching temperature is increased, the degree of browning is induced. However, there was no significant change in pH. The total polyphenol content was higher at 80 ℃ than at 60 ℃ leaching temperature, but significantly decreased at 100 ℃ leaching temperature (60 ℃: 17.06 mg GA/g, 80 ℃: 20.09 mg GA/g, 100 ℃ :18.45 mg GA/g). There were high content of flavonoid and rutin as the leaching temperature increased. Consistently, 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were significantly higher with increasing temperature (DPPH % inhibition: 60 ℃: 41.88%, 80 ℃: 46.01%, 100 ℃: 46.80%/tyrosinase inhibitory activity: 60 ℃: 9.38%, 80 ℃: 22.94%, 100 ℃: 28.17%). However, there was no significant difference in DPPH radical scavenging activity between 80 and 100 ℃. A cytotoxicity test was performed by treating with Jeju Tatary buckwheat extract into mouse macrophage cells (Raw264.7). 100 and 200 ㎍/mL treatment (100 ℃ extract) were significantly upregulated the survival rate, but there was no significant difference in other concentrations. Collectively, most of the bioactive components, antioxidant activity, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were induced as the leaching temperature increased. However, the content of polyphenols which are known to have antioxidant activity, was significantly reduced at 100 ℃ leaching temperature. Several reports have demonstrated that leaching at too high temperature lowered the overall acceptability, so the optimal leaching condition of Tatary Buckwheat is 80 ℃, 5 min in this study.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2023

Objectives : The main aim of this study was to examine the LC-MS/MS used to identify phenolic compounds of CRE(Coptidis Rhizoma 70% EtOH Extract). Also, we investigated antioxidative activities and Anti-inflammatory activities. Methods : LC-MS/MS Analysis HPLC and LC-MS/MS were performed on a 1260 series HPLC system (Agilent Technologies, Inc., California, USA) and 3200 QTrap tandem mass system (Sciex LLC) operated in positive ion mode (spray voltage set at -4.5 kV). The solvent used was DW and Acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid, a gradient system was used at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min for analysis, and a Prontosil C18 column (length, 250 mm; inner diameter, 4.6 mm; particle size, 5 ㎛; Phenomenex Co., Ltd., California, USA, Biochoff Chromatography) was used. The solvent conditions used in the mobile phases were 0-10 min at 10-15% B, 10-20 min at 20% B, 20-30 min at 25%, 30-40 min at 40%, 40-50 min at 70%, 50-60 min at 95%, and 60-70 min at 95%. The analysis was performed at a wavelength of 284 nm and a temperature of 35℃. The cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethyethiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. We examined the effects of CRE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a RAW 264.7 cells Results : The chemical analysis CRE by Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmed that Rosmarinic acid, Ferrulic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid as phenolic components. DPPH radical scavenging activity was the inhibitory activity of CRE showed at 200 ㎍/mL a statistically significant level. MTT assay demonstrated that the CRE did not have a cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Also, CRE reduced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Conclusions : Based on these findings, The chemical analysis 4 major components CRE such as Rosmarinic acid, Ferrulic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid. Moreover, we confirmed that CRE has effects antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The results demonstrate that CRE can be used as an antioxidant and a powerful chemopreventive ingredient against inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.9
• /
• pp.713-723
• /
• 2023

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that has the highest mortality rate. It is mainly classified into small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy is used to treat lung cancer, but long-term treatment causes side effects and drug resistances. Curcumin is a bright yellow polyphenol extracted from the root of turmeric. It has biological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we observed differential cell death in human lung cancer cells. Based on the results, curcumin at 10, 30, and 50 μM exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on the cell survival of several lung cancer cells, with minor differential phenotypes. In addition, apoptosis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regeneration were observed through flow cytometry. Curcumin dose-dependently increased these phenotypes in A549 (NSCLC) and DMS53 (SCLC), which were restored by corresponding inhibitors. Western blotting was performed to measure the level of expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins. The results indicate that Bax, PARP, pro-caspase-3, and Bcl-2 were dose-dependently regulated by curcumin, with seemingly higher Bax/Bcl-2 ratios in DMS53. In addition, autophagic proteins, p-AKT, p62, and LC3B, were dose-dependently regulated by curcumin. ROS inhibition by diphenyleneiodonium reduced the induction of apoptosis and autophagy generated by curcumin. Taken together, it is suggested that curcumin induces apoptosis and autophagy via ROS generation, leading to cell death, with minor differences between human lung cancer cells.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.318-333
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze changes in dental trauma in children under the age of 12 during the period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). March 2020, when COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, was set as the starting point for COVID-19. From March 2018 to February 2020, subjects in the pre-COVID-19 period were classified as the Pre-COVID-19 group, and from March 2020 to March 2022, subjects in the post-COVID-19 period were classified as the COVID-19 group. Information related to trauma was collected through electronic medical records. The number of trauma patients before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 decreased significantly. During the COVID-19 period, there was no significant difference in the male-female ratio or the distribution order of age groups. In the COVID-19 group of permanent teeth, the ratio of trauma caused by personal mobility was higher than trauma caused by sports. In the COVID-19 group of permanent teeth, the ratio of crown fracture with pulp involvement was significantly higher than the ratio of crown fracture without pulp involvement. Changes in trauma patterns caused by COVID-19 were observed more clearly in school-aged children than in preschool children. In a pandemic situation such as COVID-19, it is expected to be used as a good educational basis for knowing that frequent diagnoses can change due to changes in the environment.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.3-42
• /
• 2023

The Supreme Court en banc decision on December 12, 2022 (docket number 2016Do21314) ruled that the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia by an oriental medical doctor using a diagnostic ultrasound device was not an unlicensed medical practice for an oriental medical doctor, which shall be scrutinized by the article 27 (1) of the Korean Medical Service Act. This ruling did not determine that a specific medical practice, especially diagnosis, based on the radiology, which is a part of western medicine, was not an unlicensed medical practice for an oriental medical doctor. Rather, it intended to clarify that the prosecutor should specify and prove the way of diagnosis and he should not prosecute mere the use of a diagnostic ultrasound device itself. To that extent, the ruling is agreeable because, as the oriental medicine community has argued, there is no regulation prohibiting the use of certain devices. It is probable, however, that the way of diagnosis established in radiology, which is a part of western medicine, was actually used in the case. In that case, there is undeniably an unlicensed medical practice for an oriental medical doctor. While many of the cases where the demarcation between (western) medicine and oriental medicine have been problematized thus far have been experimental treatment in nature, the above practice of using ultrasound appears to be frequently done in many oriental clinics, and so it is necessary to cope with the possibility of a disguised unlicensed medical practice. Another problem is the prevention of unfair practice or the protection of medical consumers. In fact, many oriental medical clinics' practice appear to have a tendency of inducing medical consumers' misunderstanding that a diagnosis based on radiology, which is a part of western medicine, were provided. It is hard to respond to this problem with demarcation between (western) medicine and oriental medicine. A new regulation against unfair practice might be necessary to implement.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the viral load dynamics in children with underlying malignancies diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients <19 years old with underlying hemato-oncologic malignancies that were diagnosed with their first symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection during March 1 to August 30, 2022. Review of electronic medical records and telephone surveys were undertaken to assess the clinical presentations and transmission route of the patients. Thresholds of negligible likelihood of infectious virus was defined as E gene reverse transcription (RT)-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value ≥25. Results: During the 6-month study period, a total of 43 children with 44 episodes of COVID-19 were included. Of the 44 episodes, the median age of the patients included was 8 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 4.9-10.5), and the most common underlying disease was acute lymphoid leukemia (n=30, 68.2%), followed by patients post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=8, 18.2%). Majority of the patients had mild COVID-19 (n=32, 72.7%), and three patients (7.0%) had severe/critical COVID-19. Furthermore, 2.3% (n=1) died of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The largest percentage of the patients showed E gene RT-PCR Ct value ≥25 between 15-21 days (n=13, 39.4%), followed by 22-28 days (n=10, 30.3%). In 15.2% (n=5), E gene RT-PCR Ct value remained <25 beyond 28 days after initial positive PCR. Refractory malignancy status (β, 67.0; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-17.0; P=0.030) was significantly associated with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR <25. A patient with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR Ct value <25 was suspected to have infectivity shown by the transmission of the virus to his mother at day 86 after his initial positive test. Conclusions: Children that acquire symptomatic COVID-19 during refractory malignancy state are at a high risk for prolonged shedding warranting PCR-based transmission precautions in this cohort of patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.84-90
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Infants aged ≤90 days with fever are susceptible to severe infections. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in this particular age group. Methods: Infants aged ≤90 days who were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and hospitalized between March 1, 2020, and May 1, 2022 were included. Medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 105 infants with COVID-19 were included; 27 (25.7%) neonates aged <28 days, and 48 (45.7%) and 30 (28.6%) infants aged 28-59 days and 60-90 days, respectively. Five (4.7%) patients remained asymptomatic and 68 (62.8%) were febrile, with a median fever duration of 2 days. The most common symptoms were respiratory including cough (66.6%), nasal stuffiness (51.4%), and rhinorrhea (40.9%). Blood cultures were performed in 10 infants but no organisms were detected. Cultures of bag-collected urine specimens from 8 infants were grown, resulting in positive growth for 2 without pyuria. Nine (8.6%) infants were treated with empirical antibiotics for a median duration of 2.3 days (range, 1-7 days). All 105 infants showed improvement without any complications, and there were no fatal cases. Conclusions: In this study, most infants aged ≤90 days with COVID-19 presented with mild symptoms and none of those evaluated had documented bacterial co-infection. The favorable prognosis among young infants with SARS-CoV-2 may aid clinicians in tailoring their approach to evaluation and management during outbreaks.