• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2006

A supercritical fluid process, called aerosol solvent extraction system(ASES), is especially suitable to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries due to its environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and residual solvent-free properties. In particular, the application of the ASES process to the processing of thermo-labile bioactive compounds has received attention of many scientists and engineers because of its low-temperature operating conditions. Unstable substances such as Vitamin-C and Vitamin-A can be effectively protected from degradation during the preparation process, because the ASES process is free from oxygen and moisture. In this study, Vitamin-C was formulated with 2-hydroxypropyl-${\beta}$-cyclodextrin (HP-${\beta$-CD) for enhancement of Vitamin-C stability and bioavailability using the ASES process. To investigate the influence of the preparation process on the stability of Vitamin-C, Vitamin-C/HP-${\beta}$-CD inclusion complexes were prepared using both conventional solvent evaporation method and ASES process, and stored in a 50 mM phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.0 at $25^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. From the experimental results, the stability of the Vitamin-C/HP-${\beta}$-CD inclusion complex prepared from the ASES process was found to be much higher than that of pure Vitamin-C and the Vitamin-C/HP-${\beta}$-CD inclusion complex prepared by the solvent evaporation method. The stability of Vitamin-C was observed to increase with the decrease of temperature at a constant pressure or with the increase of pressure at a constant temperature.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2006

Vitamin-C is one of the typical bioactive substances widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. It is well known that the bioavailability of vitamin-C decreases with time because it is spontaneously oxidized in the presence of oxygen. In this study, vitamin-C inclusion complexes were prepared by formulating vitamin-C with 2-hydroxypropyl-${\beta}$-cyclodextrin (HP-${\beta}$-CD) to protect vitamin-C from being oxidized. Vitamin-C inclusion complexes were prepared by a solvent evaporation method using a rotary evaporator and various solvents of different dielectric constant such as ethanol, methanol and distilled deionized water to investigate the effect of solvent polarity on the stability of vitamin-C. To estimate the stability of inclusion complexes, samples were stored in a 50 mM phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.0 for 24 hours at $25{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$ and the degradation rate of vitamin-C was calculated using a high performance liquid chromatography. The stability of vitamin-C was observed to improve with the increase of solvent polarity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7497-7500
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• 2015

Background: Tumor markers, designated as a broad group of substances produced by malignancies, could be in the form of biochemical substances, immunological substances, cell surface changes and genetic alterations. Cancer, a disorder of cellular behavior is characterized by alteration of serum glycoproteins. L-fucose, a hexose, which is the terminal sugar in most of the plasma glycoproteins, may be useful as a tumor marker for the detection, monitoring and prognostic assessment of malignancies. The aim of the study was to ascertain the role of serum fucose as a biomarker for early detection of oral cancer and to compare serum fucose levels in healthy controls, leukoplakia and oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 60 (100.0%) subjects, who were grouped as 20 (33.3%) control subjects, 20 (33.3%) squamous cell carcinoma patients and 20 (33.3%) leukoplakia patients. Fucose estimation was done using UV-visible spectrophotometry based on the method as adopted by Winzler using cysteine reagent. The results were analyzed statistically using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: Results showed a high significance in serum fucose in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia subjects compared to normal controls. There was a gradual increase in the values noted from control to leukoplakia and to squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Estimation of serum fucose may be a reliable marker and can be used as an effective diagnostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.153-166
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• 2022

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported worldwide since the first cases were reported in Europe in April 2020. MIS-C is temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and shows Kawasaki disease (KD)-like features. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics in COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C differ, but severe cases of each disease share similar clinical and laboratory findings such as a protracted clinical course, multiorgan involvement, and similar activated biomarkers. These findings suggest that a common control system of the host may act against severe disease insult. To solve the enigmas, we proposed the protein-homeostasis-system hypothesis in that every disease involves etiological substances and the host's immune system controls them by their size and biochemical properties. Also, it is proposed that the etiological agents of KD and MIS-C might be certain strains in the microbiota of human species and etiological substances in severe COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C originate from pathogen-infected cells. Since disease severity depends on the amounts of inflammation-inducing substances and corresponding immune activation in the early stage of the disease, an early proper dose of corticosteroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may help reduce morbidity and possibly mortality among patients with these diseases. Corticosteroids are low cost and an analogue of host-origin cortisol among immune modulators. This study's findings will help clinicians treating severe COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C, especially in developing countries, where IVIG and biologics supplies are insufficient.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2010

A mushroom as a functional food material is being increasingly used in these days. It has been that about 1,500 species of mushrooms grow naturally in Asia. Among them about 700 species are edible, but about 30-50 species are poisonous. Even a poisonous mushroom is a very interesting subject for the dietary life research from biochemical viewpoint due to the fact that any mushroom can be the physiological active material. Not a few identified poisonous materials are being used as research reagents thus far. It is suggested that more useful materials could be obtained by progresses in future researches. The identification of the poisonous ingredient can open up a route for mushroom intoxication cure. It is known that cell destruction and troubles on skin, liver, and kidney troubles can be occurred from mushroom intoxication. Recently the author reported as a collection of treatises regarding anti-tumor substances of mushroom (2005), antibiotic substances of mushroom (2006), living-body functional and control substance (2007), and medicinal mushroom commonly used in Korean herbal medicines (2008). In this sequel, published research data on protoplasm, nerve, stomach and intestines, malodor, and acute pain poison of mushroom are collected and reported.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.161-180
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• 2017

As the competition for securing cross-border biological sovereignty becomes intensified due to the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol, this study analyzed patent trends only for freshwater plants in order to secure national biological sovereignty. As a result, freshwater plants include a total of 68 genera and 128 species, and a total of 60 genera and 3,256 patents were surveyed. Among them, iris was the most industrialized, 14.71% followed by angelica(8.48%) and Mentha(6.94%). However, unconfirmed eight genera (Aneilema, Artemisia Cabomba, Nymphoides, Pistia stratiotes L., Pseudoraphis Griff., Ruppia) are not patented freshwater plants and it is expected that patent entry is high and barrier is low in the future. Based on patent results, Cooperative Patent Classification analysis was carried out and as a result, a total of 15 industry sectors were derived. And biopharmaceutical(30.24%) was found to be the most industrialized industry sector followed by agricultural chemistry (28.89%), biochemical industry (16.25%). In the biomedical industry, angelica(17.74%) was the most used and Iris (9.55%), Sium(20.56%) and angelica (20.48%) were found to be the most used in agricultural chemistry, biochemical industry and bio food industry, respectively. The analysis of detailed industry fields for 15 industry sectors showed that medicines of unknown structure containing substances from plants (37.77%), raw materials (46.57%) such as insect repellants, attracting agents and preparation of peptides(16.82%) with more than 21 amino acids were most frequently used in biopharmaceutical, agricultural chemistry and biochemical industry, respectively. This study is of significance as a basic data to know which freshwater plants are used in which field in order to secure biological sovereignty and patent analysis is considered necessary to continuously secure the biological sovereignty for freshwater plants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.228-234
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• 1992

There has been general tendency to explain the traditional ginseng efficacy through the pharmacological and biochemical activities of ginsenosides. However, when we analyze the pharmacological and biological data on ginseng reported yet, we can easily arrive at the conclsion that most of the data on pharmacological and biological activities must have been obtained using impure ginsenoside samples, which should contain some non-saponin constituents as impurities. Based on the above back-ground, the non-saponin constituents of ginseng were studied in our laboratory. Phenolic substances including Maltol, Vanillic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ferrulic Acid and Caffeic acid and impure ginsenoside samples were found to show strong antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities, while pure ginsenosides were devoid of the activities. Maltol, one of antioxidant components In Korean red ginseng drew a special interest due to its very low pro-oxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of ginseng may be considered as scientific basis for the antiageing activity which was described in traditional medicinal material book as "long-term medication of ginseng will improve bio-efficiency and extend life-span" The lignin components, another non-saponin consitutents, isolated from ginseng extract In our laboratory may eplain the hepato-protective activity of ginseng which has been repeatedly rtaimed as one of the efficacies of ginsenosides. The P-carboline alkaloids isolated in our laboratory as one of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng may play some pharmacological activities which should also be investigated. Present paper will include chemistry and biochemical aspects of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng with special interests for the explanation of traditional ginseng efficacy on modern scientific basis.fic basis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.464-474
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• 2021

Bacterial cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are responsible for the hydroxylation of diverse endogenous substances with a heme molecule used as a cofactor. This study characterized two CYP154C3 proteins from Streptomyces sp. W2061 (CYP154C3-1) and Streptomyces sp. KCCM40643 (CYP154C3-2). The enzymatic activity assays of both CYPs conducted using heterologous redox partners' putidaredoxin and putidaredoxin reductase showed substrate flexibility with different steroids and exhibited interesting product formation patterns. The enzymatic characterization revealed good activity over a pH range of 7.0 to 7.8 and the optimal temperature range for activity was 30 to 37℃. The major product was the C16-hydroxylated product and the kinetic profiles and patterns of the generated hydroxylated products differed between the two enzymes. Both enzymes showed a higher affinity toward progesterone, with CYP154C3-1 demonstrating slightly higher activity than CYP154C3-2 for most of the substrates. Oxidizing agents (diacetoxyiodo) benzene (PIDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were also utilized to actively support the redox reactions, with optimum conversion achieved at concentrations of 3 mM and 65 mM, respectively. The oxidizing agents affected the product distribution, influencing the type and selectivity of the CYP-catalyzed reaction. Additionally, CYP154C3s also catalyzed the C-C bond cleavage of steroids. Therefore, CYP154C3s may be a good candidate for the production of modified steroids for various biological uses.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-31
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• 1981

Rootability of the hardwood cuttings of mulberry was related not only histological characteristics but dependent on biochemical properties. In this connection, the characteristics of the hardwood cuttings were histologically observed and the growth substances produced by the cuttings were also identified by means of mung bean bioassay. Amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleic acid contents, and the C/N ratio were also analysed. The results are summarized as follows. 1. There were differences in rootability of cuttings between mulberry species and varieties Among the three mulberry species tested, Morus Lhou Koidz. showed the highest rootability while M. bombycis showed the lowest one. In varietal differences in rootability, it was shown that the varieties could be grouped according to rootability: high varieties(above 80%), medium(41~79%), and low(below 40%). The higher varieties were Kemmochi, Nakamaki, Kosen, and Wusuba roso. 2. The histological characteristic of the hardwood cuttings most closely related to rootability was cell layer arrangement in the sclerenchyma tissue. The lower rootability varieties developed two or three overlapping cell layers in the bark tissue and in the higher rootability varieties they were scattered over the primary cortex. 3. In the higher rootability varieties, there was a positive correlation between the development of root primodia and rootability of the hardwood cuttings. It was also shown that there was a close relationship between the size of primodia and the surface area of the lenticel with rootability of the cuttings. 4. Effect of growth substances extracted from the hardwood cuttings were determined by mung bean bioassay. The higher rootability varieties usually showed higher activities of the growth substances, in contrast the lower rootability varieties showed higher activities of the inhibitory substances. 5. It was evident that the substance separated by paper chromatography was identified as indole acetic acid with $R_f$ value ranging from 0.3 to 0.5. The other substances detected at a $R_f$ value ranging from 0.8 to 1.0 and origin to 0.1 were also responsible for rooting. 6. There exists a quantitatively different distribution of growth substances in a synergistic system in the tissues of cuttings, and the balance between growth and inhibitory substances gives rise to the development of rooting. Particularly, no descent of the substances from winter buds resulted in no rooting of cuttings but these substances were produced a week after planting in a warm environment. 7. It was shown that there were positive correlations between carbohydrate ($r=0.72^*$) and total sugar ($r=0.67^*$) and rootability, respectively, but there were negative correlations between reducing sugars ($r=-0.75^*$) and rootability. 8. High C/N ratio gave rise to high rootability($r=0.67^*$). The latter therefore depended on high amount of carbohydrate rather than nitrogen in the cuttings. 9. The content of RNA and DNA in the cuttings was not changed for upto two weeks after the cuttings were planted. Then an increase in RNA content took place in only the high rootability varieties. 10. There were quantitative and qualitative differences in the compositions of the amino acids between the high rootability varieties and the low rootability varieties. More aspartic acid and cystine were found in the higher rootability varieties than in the low rootability varieties.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.335-339
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• 2001

Cancer chemoprevention refers to the use of natural or synthetic substances to prevent initiational and promotional events that occur during the process of carcinogenesis. Thesium Chinese Turczaninow aqua-acupuncture solution (TCTAS) and Astragli Radix aqua-acupuncture solution (ARAS) were tested as the cancer chemopreventive agents using biochemical markers of carcinogenesis. The effects on the inhibition of phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate(TPA)-induced free radical formation in HL-60 cells and the inhibition of polyamine metabolism were measured. There is significant inhibition of TAP-induced free radical formation in human leukemic cells with cells with ARAS. Proliferation of Acanthamoeba castellanii was inhibited by TCTAS and ARAS. TCTAS and ARAS positive in these assays may inhibit the carcinogenesis process and is considered promising cancer-preventing agents.