• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.10
• /
• pp.1576-1584
• /
• 2013

This study is carried out to assess the relative effects of different doses of dietary glucose or fructose on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatic metaflammation in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes. KK/HlJ male mice were fed experimental diets as follows: 1) control (CON), 2) moderate glucose (MG, 30% of total calories as glucose), 3) high glucose (HG, 60% of total calories as glucose), 4) moderate fructose (MF, 30% of total calories as fructose), and 5) high fructose (HF, 60% of total calories as fructose) for three weeks. Food intake was not affected by treatments. Compared with HF, HG not only increased serum fasting glucose and area under the curve during oral glucose tolerance test, but also decreased the levels of serum insulin and adiponectin. It indicated that glucose control was complicated via high glucose intake. High fructose treatment led to increased triglyceride in the serum and liver. In comparison to HG, high fructose diet activated NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome consisting of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), NLRP3 and caspase 1, which increases interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ maturation and secretion. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was accompanied by increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and IL-6. However, the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and pro-inflammatory cytokines did not differ between CON and HG. These data suggested that dietary fructose triggers hepatic metaflammation accompanied by NLRP3 inflammasome activation and has deleterious effects on NAFLD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2051-2055
• /
• 2014

Background: To evaluate the performance of Siriraj liquid-based cytology (LBC) for cervical neoplasia screening after increasing use of this technology. Materials and Methods: Cytological reports of 103,057 Siriraj-LBC specimens obtained in 2007-2009 were compared with those of 23,676 specimens obtained in 2006. Results: Comparing with the year 2006, the 2007-2009 patients were slightly older ($43.4{\pm}12.yr$ vs $42.7{\pm}12.2yr$, p <0.001), and their specimens had much lower proportion of unsatisfactory slides (OR=0.06, 95%CI 0.04-0.09) with comparable detection rates (3.96% vs 3.70%, p=0.052) but different proportions of various cytological abnormalities (p<0.001). The 2007-2009 Siriraj-LBC had a negative predictive value (NPV) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ (CIN2+) of 97.6% and an overall positive predictive value (PPV) of 43.9%. The PPV for CIN2+ varied with types of abnormal cytology, from 13.7% to 93.8% in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), atypical glandular cells (AGC), to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. The PPVs for CIN2+ in ASCUS and LSIL were comparable, but the PPV for CIN1 was higher for LSIL than for ASCUS (41.63% vs 16.32%). Conclusions: Siriraj-LBC has demonstrated a stable detection rate and NPV for CIN2+ of >95% since the first year of use. The comparable PPVs for CIN2+ of ASCUS and LSIL suggests that these two conditions may undergo similar management; other cytological abnormalities need immediate evaluation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.671-676
• /
• 2014

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish a program model for use in wide-spread cervical cancer screening. :Methods: Cervical cancer screening was conducted in Zhongshan city in Guangdong province, China through a coordinated network of multiple institutes and hospitals. A total of 43,567 women, 35 to 59 years of age, were screened during regular gynecological examinations using the liquid-based ThinPrep cytology test (TCT). Patients who tested positive were recalled for further treatment. Results: The TCT-positive rate was 3.17%, and 63.4% of these patients returned for follow-up. Pathology results were positive for 30.5% of the recalled women. Women who were younger than 50 years of age, urban dwelling, low-income, had a history of cervical disease, began having sex before 20 years of age, or had sex during menstruation, were at elevated risk for a positive TCT test. The recall rate was lower in women older than 50 years of age, urban dwelling, poorly educated, and who began having sex early. Ahigher recall rate was found in women 35 years of age and younger, urban dwelling, women who first had sex after 24 years of age, and women who had sex during menstruation. The positive pathology rate was higher in urban women 50 years of age and younger and women who tested positive for human papillomavirus. Conclusion: An effective model for large-scale cervical cancer screening was successfully established. These results suggest that improvements are needed in basic education regarding cervical cancer screening for young and poorly educated women. Improved outreach for follow-up is also necessary to effectively control cervical cancer.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.779-786
• /
• 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes on livestock farms in Korea and determine their serotypes and genetic correlations. Twenty-five livestock farms in Korea (central: 15, south west: 7, south east: 3) were visited 2-3 times, and 2,018 samples (feces: 677, soil: 680, silage: 647, sludge: 14) were collected. Samples were enriched in LEB (Listeria enrichment broth) and Fraser broth media, and then plated on Palcam agar. The isolates were identified by PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Then, the sero-types, presence of virulence genes (actA, inlA, inlB, plcB, and hlyA), and antibiotic resistance were determined. Genetic correlations among the isolates were evaluated by analyzing the restriction digest pattern with AscI. Of the 2,018 samples, only 3 (0.15%) soil samples (FI-1-FI-3) from 1 farm in the south east region were positive for L. monocytogenes. Based on biochemical tests and multiplex PCR, the serotype of the isolates were 4ab (FI-1 and FI-3) and 3a (FI-2), which are not common in foodborne L. monocytogenes. The 3a sero-type isolate was positive for all tested virulence genes, whereas the 4ab serotype isolates were only positive for hlyA, actA, and inlA. The isolates were resistant to all 12 tested antibiotics, especially FI-3. The genetic correlations among the isolates were 100% for those of the same serotype and 26.3% for those of different serotypes. These results indicate that the prevalence of L. monocytogenes on livestock farms in Korea is low; however, the isolates are pathogenic and antibiotic resistant.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.120-129
• /
• 2014

The structure and physiological function of human skin continuously weaken due to growing older. The reasons of aging from external conditions are long term exposure to sun, wind, heat, cigarette smoke, and etc. This also palmitoyl oligopeptide or ceramide oligopeptide are known asc ingredient stimulating collagens and have the effect of reproducing the upper level of skin. Acetyl hexapeptide is an ingredient that makes the skin and muscle suppler and reduces wrinkles. It is a major high function beauty ingredient that substitutes botox. After dividing 7%, 14%, and 20% Acetyl hexapeptide experimental groups as groups A, B, and C the control group and experiment groups' change of wrinkles, hair follicles, moisture content, and dead skin cells was analyzed. According to the results, Acetyl hexapeptide seems to affect wrinkles, hair follicles and moisture content contrasting to the control group. Experimental groups and control group showed similar change in dead skin cells. In contrast to the control group satisfaction of examines was affected in wrinkles, hair follicles and moisture but removing dead skin cells had similar result in experimental groups and control group.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.294-302
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to compare anti-inflammatory effect of Robinia pseudoacacia L. using different extraction methods (water extraction, ethanol extraction and high temperature extraction). We investigated anti-inflammatory effect of Robinia pseudoacacia L. extract (RP1, water extract; RP2, ethanol extract; RP3, high temperature extract) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammation using Raw 264.7 cell. Cells were treated with various concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 100 or $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) of water extract, ethanol extract and high temperature extract. Cytotoxicity was not observed on Raw 264.7 cells, LPS-stimulated production of NO (nitric oxide), $PGE_2$ (prostaglandin $E_2$) and cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$) was reduced by RP3 treatment more than RP1 and RP2. In conclusion, these results indicated that inflammation on Raw 264.7 cells was improved by RP3. Treatment of RP3 could be used to natural medicine for improving inflammatory response. However, further experiment is required to observe how the high temperature extraction at $500^{\circ}C$ for 48 h influences on alteration of active ingredient in Robinia pseudoacacia L., and conducts the inflammation signal pathway on Raw 264.7 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.607-613
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of either chrysin or exercise on the inflammasome and thermogenic markers in the livers of high-fat fed mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal diet control (NC; n=5), high-fat diet control (HC; n=5), high-fat diet with chrysin (Hch; n=5), and high-fat diet with moderate exercise (HME; n=5). The mice were fed a high-fat diet (60% of calories from fat) or normal diet (18% of calories from fat). Chrysin was supplemented orally as 50mg/kg/day dissolved in a 0.1ml solution of dimethyl sulfoxide. The exercised mice ran on a treadmill at 12-20 m/min for 30-60 min/day, 5 times/week, for 16 weeks. After the intervention, the epididymal fat and liver weights were significantly decreased in the HME group compared with HC and Hch groups. The adipocyte size was effectively decreased in the Hch and HME groups compared with the HC group. The inflammasome markers NLRP3, $IL-1{\beta}$, and caspase1 were significantly decreased in the Hch and HME groups compared with the HC group. The thermogenic markers $PGC-1{\alpha}$ and BMP7 were significantly lower in the HC than in the NC group. However, the HME group showed an increase in the thermogenic markers. In conclusion, chrysin and moderate exercise have positive effects on obese metabolic complications induced by high-fat diets by reducing inflammasome genes. However, chrysin supplementation had no effect on thermogenic gene expression. Moderate exercise would therefore seem to be more effective in controlling obesity-induced metabolic deregulation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.237-247
• /
• 2021

Immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS) function as the host's defense system against pathogens and usually help with repair and regeneration. However, chronic and exaggerated neuroinflammation is detrimental and may create neuronal damage in many cases. The NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain―containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a kind of NOD-like receptor, is a cytosolic multiprotein complex that consists of sensors (NLRP3), adaptors (apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, ASC) and effectors (caspase 1). It can detect a broad range of microbial pathogens along with foreign and host-derived danger signals, resulting in the assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Upon activation, NLRP3 inflammasome leads to caspase 1-dependent secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, as well as to gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic cell death. NLRP3 inflammasome is highly expressed in CNS-resident cell types, including microglia and astrocytes, and growing evidence suggests that NLRP3 inflammasome is a crucial player in the pathophysiology of several neuroinflammatory and psychiatric diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and major depressive disorder. Thus, this review describes the molecular mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its crucial roles in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.688-699
• /
• 2021

On September 23, 2020, at 1:39 a.m., a bright fireball above Seocheon was observed across the country. Two fireball explosions were identified in the images of the All-Sky Camera (ASC), and the shock waves were recorded at seismic and infrasound stations in the southwestern Korean Peninsula. The location of the explosion was estimated by a Bayesian-based location method using the arrival times of the fireball-associated seismic and infrasound signals at 17 stations. Realistic azimuth- and rang-dependent propagation speeds of sound waves were incorporated into the location method to increase the reliability of the results. The location of the sound source was found to be 36.050°N, 126.855°E at an altitude of 35 km, which was close to the location of the second fireball explosion. The two explosions were identified as sequential infrasound arrivals at local infrasound stations. Simulations of waveforms for long ranges explain the detection results at distant infrasound stations, up to ~266 km from the sound source. The dominant period of the signals recorded at five infrasound stations is about 0.4 s. A period-energy relation suggests the explosion energy was equivalent to ~0.3 ton of TNT.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.335-345
• /
• 2022

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is linked with invading intracellular pathogens. Cardiac pyroptosis has a significant role in coronary microembolization (CME), thus causing myocardial injury. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has powerful cardioprotective effects. Hence, this study aimed to identify the effect of Tan IIA on CME and its underlying mechanism. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped into sham, CME, CME + low-dose Tan IIA, and CME + high-dose Tan IIA groups. Except for the sham group, polyethylene microspheres (42 ㎛) were injected to establish the CME model. The Tan-L and Tan-H groups received intraperitoneal Tan IIA for 7 days before CME. After CME, cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and serum myocardial injury markers were assessed. The expression of pyroptosis-associated molecules and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade was evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and IHC. Relative to the sham group, CME group's cardiac functions were significantly reduced, with a high level of serum myocardial injury markers, and microinfarct area. Also, the levels of caspase-1 p20, GSDMD-N, IL-18, IL-1β, TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ASC expression were increased. Relative to the CME group, the Tan-H and Tan-L groups had considerably improved cardiac functions, with a considerably low level of serum myocardial injury markers and microinfarct area. Tan IIA can reduce the levels of pyroptosis-associated mRNA and protein, which may be caused by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade. In conclusion, Tanshinone IIA can suppress cardiomyocyte pyroptosis probably through modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade, lowering cardiac dysfunction, and myocardial damage.