• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.104-112
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• 2012

The fruit of Terminalia chebula Retzius has been used as a panacea in India and Southeast Asia but its biological activities have not been fully elucidated. Here we report anti-arthritic and analgesic effect of NDI10218, a standardized ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula, on collagen-induced arthritis and acetic acid-induced writhing model, respectively. Arthritis was induced in DBA/1J mice by immunizing bovine type II collagen and mice were treated with NDI10218 daily for 5 weeks after the onset of the disease. NDI10218 reduced the arthritis index and blocked the synovial hyperplasia in a dose-dependent manner. The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-$1{\beta}$ were significantly reduced in mice treated with NDI10218. Production of the inflammatory IL-17, but not immunosuppressive IL-10, was also inhibited in splenocytes isolated from NDI10218-treated arthritis mice. Administration of NDI10218 markedly decreased the number of T cell subpopulations in the regional lymph nodes of the arthritis mice. Finally, NDI10218 reduced the number of abdominal contractions in acetic acid-induced writhing model, suggesting an analgesic effect of this extract. Taken together, these results suggest that NDI10218 can be a new therapeutic candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2015

Curvularia lunata is an important maize foliar fungal pathogen that distributes widely in maize growing area in China, and several key pathogenic factors have been isolated. An yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) library is a very useful platform to further unravel novel pathogenic factors in C. lunata. To construct a high-quality full length-expression cDNA library from the C. lunata for application to pathogenesis-related protein-protein interaction screening, total RNA was extracted. The SMART (Switching Mechanism At 5' end of the RNA Transcript) technique was used for cDNA synthesis. Double-stranded cDNA was ligated into the pGADT7-Rec vector with Herring Testes Carrier DNA using homologous recombination method. The ligation mixture was transformed into competent yeast AH109 cells to construct the primary cDNA library. Eventually, a high qualitative library was successfully established according to an evaluation on quality. The transformation efficiency was about $6.39{\times}10^5$ transformants/$3{\mu}g$ pGADT7-Rec. The titer of the primary cDNA library was $2.5{\times}10^8cfu/mL$. The numbers for the cDNA library was $2.46{\times}10^5$. Randomly picked clones show that the recombination rate was 88.24%. Gel electrophoresis results indicated that the fragments ranged from 0.4 kb to 3.0 kb. Melanin synthesis protein Brn1 (1,3,8-hydroxynaphthalene reductase) was used as a "bait" to test the sufficiency of the Y2H library. As a result, a cDNA clone encoding VelB protein that was known to be involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, including control of secondary metabolism containing melanin and toxin production in many filamentous fungi was identified. Further study on the exact role of the VelB gene is underway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 2020

The root meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana is protected by the root cap, the size of which is tightly regulated by the balance between the formative cell divisions and the dispersal of the outermost cells. We isolated an enhancer-tagged dominant mutant displaying the short and twisted root by the overexpression of ZINC-FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA1 (ZAT1) encoding an EAR motif-containing zinc-finger protein. The growth inhibition by ZAT1 was shared by ZAT4 and ZAT9, the ZAT1 homologues. The ZAT1 promoter was specifically active in the outermost cells of the root cap, in which ZAT1-GFP was localized when expressed by the ZAT1 promoter. The outermost cell-specific expression pattern of ZAT1 was not altered in the sombrero (smb) or smb bearskin1 (brn1) brn2 accumulating additional root-cap layers. In contrast, ZAT4-GFP and ZAT9-GFP fusion proteins were distributed to the inner root-cap cells in addition to the outermost cells where ZAT4 and ZAT9 promoters were active. Overexpression of ZAT1 induced the ectopic expression of PUTATIVE ASPARTIC PROTEASE3 involved in the programmed cell death. The EAR motif was essential for the growth inhibition by ZAT1. These results suggest that the three related ZATs might regulate the maturation of the outermost cells of the root cap.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2004

Ginsenosides and green tea extracts show a variety of biomedical efficacies such as anti-aging, anti-oxidation and anti-tumor-promotion effects. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been reported to inhibit the UVB-induced apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2-to-Bax ratio. We have previously shown that ginsenoside Fl protects human HaCaT cells from ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced apoptosis by maintaining constant levels of Bcl-2 and Brn-3a. Here, we investigate the combined effect of ginsenoside Fl and EGCG on the protection of human HaCaT keratinocyte against UVB-induced apoptosis. When treated individually, although 5 ${\mu}$M ginsenoside Fl and 50${\mu}$M EGCG protected cells from UVB-induced apoptosis, 2${\mu}$M ginsenoside Fl or 10${\mu}$M EGCG treatment showed very little protection effect. However, cotreatement of 2${\mu}$M ginsenoside Fl and 10${\mu}$M EGCG successfully protected HaCaT cells from UVB-induced cell death. As expected, combining ginsenoside Fl and EGCG efficiently prevented UVB-induced decrease of Bcl-2 and Brn-3a expression. In addition, cotreatment with ginsenoside F1 and EGCG prevented the dephosphorylation of Rb, whereas individual treatment with ginsenoside Fl or EGCG failed to prevent the dephosphorylation of Rb even at high concentrations.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is possibility of the heavy rainfall prediction using instability index. The convective instability index using this study is Convective Available Potential Energy(CAPE) concerned the growth energy of the storm, Bulk Richardson Number(BRN) concerned the type and strength of the storm, and Sotrm Relative Helicity(SRH) concerned maintenance of the storm. To verify the instability index, the simulation of heavy rainfall case experiment by Numerical Weather Prediction(NWP) model(MM5) are designed. The results of this study summarized that the heavy rainfall related to the high instability index and the proper combination of one more instability index made the higher heavy rainfall prediction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 1995

Morphology, chromosome and transmission of potato virus Y(PVY) of the green peach aphid populations collected from tobacco fields were examined. Based on the morphological characteristics, especially values of linear discriminant functions and length of ultimate rostral segment, 8 green peach aphid clones with different color morphs could be divided into two groups, namely Myzus persicae and M. nicotianae, according to the proposal by Blackman in 1987. The red (RED)-, Brown (BRN)- and green-colored (GR1, GR2) aphid clones belonged to the M. nicotianae type, while the pale green (PG1, PG2, PG3) and dark brown (DBR) clones to the M. persicae type. The karyotype of the pale green-colored clone (PG1, M. persicae type) appeared normal and was 2n=12 with no indication of chromosomal translocation. On the contrary, in the green-colored aphid clone (GR1, M. nicotianae type), translocation and dissociation of autosome 3 were often found, having karyotype of 2n=13. Both of the above aphid clones transmitted PVY-VN to tabacco plants (cv. Burley 21), but the GR1 clone had higher transmissibility than the PG1 clone.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.1959-1965
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• 2023

The objective of this study was the establishment of clearance method that can ensure radiological safety and reasonably minimize radioactive waste when demolishing contaminated buildings at KRR-1&2. By reviewing Korean and international laws related to decommissioning, the method for clearance of contaminated buildings presented in this study is to first decontaminate the building and then conduct a radiological safety assessment, such as measuring residual radioactivity, to determine whether the radiation dose criteria for clearance are satisfied. The measurement results meet the radiation dose criteria, the contaminated buildings are regarded as clearance and can be converted into the general buildings. The demolition of the cleared buildings is carried out using conventional demolition methods. The waste generated during the demolition is classified as general construction waste and is disposed of according to relevant laws. The proposed method significantly optimized the number of samples analyzed and reduced the time and cost associated with the decommissioning. The established method will be applied to the ongoing decommissioning of contaminated buildings at KRR-1&2, and its application will be verified by regulatory bodies. The study suggests that this method could be used for the decommissioning of contaminated buildings at other Korean nuclear facilities in the future.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.8
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• pp.363-368
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• 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra, is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. Current treatment methods are medication and surgery; however, a primary therapy has not yet been proposed. In this study, we aimed to develop a new treatment for PD that induces direct reprogramming of dopaminergic neurons (iDAN). Achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 1 (ASCL1) is a primary factor that initiates and regulates central nervous system development and induces neurogenesis. In addition, it interacts with BRN2 and MYT1L, which are crucial transcription factors for the direct conversion of fibroblasts into neurons. Overexpression of ASCL1 along with the transcription factors NURR1 and LMX1A can directly reprogram iDANs. Using a retrovirus, GFP-tagged ASCL1 was overexpressed in astrocytes. One week of culture in iDAN convertsion medium reprogrammed the astrocytes into iDANs. After 7 days of differentiation, TH+/TUJ1+ cells emerged. After 2 weeks, the number of mature TH+/TUJ1+ dopaminergic neurons increased. Only ventral midbrain (VM) astrocytes exhibited these results, not cortical astrocytes. Thus, VM astrocytes can undergo direct iDAN reprogramming with ASCL1 alone, in the absence of transcription factors that stimulate dopaminergic neurons development.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the Intraocular pressure (IOP) and retina neuroprotective effect of Acer palmatum thumb. extract in glaucoma of DBA2/J mice vivo model. Methods : The amount of change in intraocular pressure(IOP) was measured every two weeks for 30 weeks in the DBA2/J glaucoma animal model. The increased IOP were regrouping into drug treatment groups. EW and EE (1, 2 mg/㎖)extract was eye drop administered twice per day for 8 weeks. After administration of the extract, IOP was measured every 1 week at a fixed time for 8 weeks, and protein expression levels and serological changes related to retinal function were investigated. Results : The DBA2/J mice were IOP increased as time dependent, resulting in damage to the retinal function protein related in glaucoma animal model. However, administration of extracts from Leaves of Acer palmatum thumb. prevented an increase IOP, increased for Brn3α, PKCα, and OPN1SW. Additionally, the experssion of Aterocyte maker, GFAP was decreased in DBA2/J mice. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that both IOP and age can be considered in studies using DBA2/J mice and suggest that the extracts from Leaves of Acer palmatum thumb. regulating of IOP and expression of proteins related to retinal function.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.244-249
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: To examine whether ischemic retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) will be salvaged from cell death by human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in an organotypic retina model. Methods and Results: Deprived of arterial oxygen supply, whole mice retinas were cultured as an ex vivo organotypic cultures on an insert membrane in a 24-well plate. The therapeutic potential of ADSCs was examined by co-culture with organotypic retinas. ADSCs were seeded on top of the RGCs allowing direct contact, or at the bottom of the well, sharing the same culture media and allowing a paracrine activity. The number of surviving RGCs was assessed using Brn3a staining and confocal microscopy. Cytokine secretion of ADSCs to medium was analyzed by cytokine array. When co-cultured with ADSCs, the number of surviving RGCs was similarly significantly higher in both treatment groups compared to controls. Analysis of ADSCs cytokines secretion profile, showed secretion of anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative cytokines (threshold>1.4). Transplantation of ADSCs in a co-culture system with organotypic ischemic retinas resulted in RGCs recovery. Since there was no advantage to direct contact of ADSCs with RGCs, the beneficial effect seen may be related to paracrine activity of ADSCs. Conclusions: These data correlated with secretion profile of ADSCs' anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative cytokines.