• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.540-549
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• 2021

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in breast cancer and Myxococcus fulvus KYC4048 is a myxobacterial strain that can produce a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites. Although a previous study revealed that KYC4048 metabolites exhibit anti-proliferative effects on breast cancer, the biochemical mechanism involved in their effects remains unclear. In the present study, KYC4048 metabolites were separated into polar and non-polar (ethyl acetate and n-hexane) fractions via liquid-liquid extraction. The effects of these polar and non-polar KYC4048 metabolites on the viability of breast cancer cells were then determined by MTT assay. Expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The results revealed that non-polar KYC4048 metabolites induced cell death of breast cancer cells and decreased expression levels of WNT2B, β-catenin, and Wnt target genes (c-Myc and cyclin D1). Moreover, the n-hexane fraction of non-polar KYC4048 metabolites was found most effective in inducing apoptosis, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest, leading us to conclude that it can induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These findings provide evidence that the n-hexane fraction of non-polar KYC4048 metabolites can be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer via inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2022

Objective : The purpose of this trial is to observe the preliminary effects of Salvia plebeia (SP) extract on quality of life in patients with solid cancer. Methods : This is a prospective, open-label, single-arm, and single-dose clinical trial. Twenty participants who have been diagnosed with solid cancer between the ages of 20 and 65 will be included. All participants will be administered SP granules for 12 weeks. Data will be collected at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment. The primary outcome is quality of life, using the Korean version of the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include tumor markers in blood tests for each cancer type, soluble programmed death-ligand 1, the percentage of natural killer cells among lymphocytes, ratio of T-helper and T-suppressor cells, ratio of total T, T-helper, T-suppressor, and B cells in lymphocytes, level of C-reactive protein, and tumor size via radiology examination. Safety will be assessed by clinical laboratory tests and monitoring of adverse events. Discussion : This study aims to observe the effects of an oral administration of SP preparations in patients with solid cancer on changes in quality of life and an improvement in immune function. It is expected to provide objective evidence of the effect and safety of SP for patients with solid cancer. Trial registration: KCT0007315 (Clinical Research Information Service)

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2023

Ferimzone Z is a fungicide for effectively controlling rice blast. Under light irradiation conditions, it undergoes a rapid conversion to its E-stereoisomer. Given the importance of isomers in risk assessments of residues in crops, an analytical method was developed for individual isomer quantification. A comparative analysis performed using two columns in HPLC-MS/MS demonstrated that the isomers were successfully separated using the Cadenza column. For the brown rice sample preparation, 5 g of the homogenized sample was saturated with 7 mL of water. The sample was then extracted with a 10 mL mixed solvent of acetonitrile and ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) that contained 0.1% formic acid, and it was subsequently partitioned with magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride. The upper layer was purified using dSPE containing C₁₈ and PSA sorbents. The established method was subjected to method validation, and it showed recovery rates of 90.6-98.8% (RSD ≤ 3.9%) at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 2 mg/kg, with a soft matrix effect (%ME) ranging from -3.1% to +6.5%. This method can be employed in monitoring studies of brown rice to determine the conversion ratio from the Z isomers to the E isomers.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2016

Inflammatory cytokines play a major role in osteoclastogenesis, leading to the bone resorption that is frequently associated with osteoporosis. Sulforaphane, isolated from the Broccoli(Brassica oleracea var. italia) florets, inhibits the production of inflamatory cytokine. In the present study, we determined inhibitory effect of sulforaphane on Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation. Sulforaphane inhibited the expression of osteoclast marker genes, such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP), cathepsin K, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9), and calcitonin receptor in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage. Also, sluforaphane inhibited the expression of osteoclast protein, such as TRAP, MMP-9, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6) and transcription factor nuclease factor of activated T cells(NFAT)c1. Sulforaphane inhibited RANKL-induced activiation of nuclear factor kappaB(NF-kappaB) by suppression RANKL-mediated NF-kappaB transcriptional acitivation. We are confirmed that sulforaphane inhibits not only transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB but also expressions of the osteoclastogenesis factors(TRAP, cathepsin K, MMP-9, calcitonin, TRAF6) and trranscription factor NFATc1.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.551-561
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• 2019

This study was conducted to find out differences in the removal efficiency of particulate matter (PM) depending on the type of plants and the morphological characteristics of leaves. A total of 12 plants were used, with three plants selected for each type of leaves (big leaf, small leaf, compound leaf, needle leaf). We measured the removed amount of PM10 and PM2.5, the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer of each plant. Plants with the high removal efficiency of PM included Pachira aquatica Aubl., Ardisia crenata, and Dieffenbachia 'Marianne', and plants with the low removal efficiency included Nandina domestica Thunb, Schefflera arboricola, and Quercus dentata. The abaxial leaf surface having a high removal efficiency of PM had many large wrinkles, and the abaxial leaf surface having a medium removal efficiency was flat and smooth. On the other hand, there were many fine hairs on the abaxial leaf surface with a low removal efficiency. According to the plant leaf type, the PM10 removal efficiency of plants with needle leaves was about three times higher than that of other plants. In particular, the wax layer of conifers weighed 6-24 times higher than those of other plants. The stomata of conifers were evenly distributed on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces; however, the stomata of Sciadopitys verticillata appeared in the form of papillae unlike general stomata. Therefore, the removal efficiency of PM varied depending on the macro-, and micro-morphological characteristics of plant leaves such as the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer. Based on this research, selecting plants that are effective in reducing PM in consideration of the plant type and leaf characteristics will improve indoor air quality and decrease exposure of PM to human body.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.859-868
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the value of initial CT quantitative analysis of ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, and total lesion volume and its relationship with clinical features for assessing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: A total of 84 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed from January 23, 2020 to February 19, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: severe group (n = 23) and non-severe group (n = 61). Clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and CT findings on admission were analyzed. CT quantitative parameters, including GGO, consolidation, total lesion score, percentage GGO, and percentage consolidation (both relative to total lesion volume) were calculated. Relationships between the CT findings and laboratory data were estimated. Finally, a discrimination model was established to assess the severity of COVID-19. Results: Patients in the severe group had higher baseline neutrophil percentage, increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and lower baseline lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage (p < 0.001). The severe group also had higher GGO score (p < 0.001), consolidation score (p < 0.001), total lesion score (p < 0.001), and percentage consolidation (p = 0.002), but had a lower percentage GGO (p = 0.008). These CT quantitative parameters were significantly correlated with laboratory inflammatory marker levels, including neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, hs-CRP level, and procalcitonin level (p < 0.05). The total lesion score demonstrated the best performance when the data cut-off was 8.2%. Furthermore, the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 93.8% (confidence interval [CI]: 86.8-100%), 91.3% (CI: 69.6-100%), and 91.8% (CI: 23.0-98.4%), respectively. Conclusion: CT quantitative parameters showed strong correlations with laboratory inflammatory markers, suggesting that CT quantitative analysis might be an effective and important method for assessing the severity of COVID-19, and may provide additional guidance for planning clinical treatment strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.1104-1110
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• 2009

To investigate physiochemical characteristics of Liriope platyphylla tubers by various drying process, proximate constitute, levels of free sugar, organic acid, free amino acid, crude saponin and spicatoside A were analyzed. Drying methods included hot-air drying (DLR, $60^{\circ}C$, 48 hr) and roasting after hot-air drying (RDLR, roasting at $180^{\circ}C$ for 15 min). The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash and NFE (nitrogen free extract) contents of FLR (fresh Liriope platyphylla tuber) were 69.99%, 1.85%, 0.02%, 0.79%, and 27.35%, respectively. The most abundant proximate component of DLR and RDLR was NFE, of which the contents in both sample were 80.09% and 86.07%, respectively. The major free sugars in DLR and RDLR was oligosaccharide II as 56$\sim$57% and the major organic acid was malic acid as 3.06$\sim$3.34%, respectively. In free amino acid, the major amino acid of FLR, DLR and RDLR was serine with contents of 477.41 mg%, 1394.88 mg%, and 180.33 mg%, respectively. The level of serine was significantly decreased by roasting process. The level of crude saponin in FLR, DLR and RDLR were 3.52%, 8.41%, and 10.15%, respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2017

The anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum patens C. Agardh ethanol extract (SPEE) was examined based on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in this study. SPEE treatment was not cytotoxic to macrophages compared to the control. The production of NO was suppressed by SPEE by approximately 28% at $100{\mu}g/ml$, and levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ was suppressed by SPEE treatment. In vivo, croton oil-induced mouse ear edema was attenuated by SPEE and the infiltration of mast cells into the tissue decreased. Based on these results, SPEE inhibits the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, suggesting that SPEE is a potential agent for anti-inflammatory therapies.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2016

This study investigated the possibility of usage of freeze-dried ingredients for the preparation of Nabak kimchi. The quality characteristics of Nabak kimchi using freeze-dried ingredients (radish, kimchi cabbage, green onion, garlic and ginger) were monitored during storage at $4^{\circ}C$. The initial pH of Nabak kimchi was 5.76~5.93, however, it decreased significantly over increasing storage periods (p<0.05). The titratable acidity of Nabak kimchi increased during storage, reaching 0.43~1.08%. Among the freeze-dried samples, those treated with freeze-dried radish and minor ingredients showed lower titratable acidity than that of the control. The initial number of total aerobic and lactic acid bacteria were 5.57~6.25, and 5.52~6.24 log CFU/g, respectively. After 28 days, the population of total aerobic and lactic acid bacteria in the raw ingredients and freeze-dried minor ingredients was less than 8.0 log CFU/g, but more than 9.0 log CFU/g in other samples. Yeasts and molds in Nabak kimchi were detected up to 2~3 log CFU/g, but coliforms were not detected in all samples during storage. The score of firmness and overall acceptability in the control, raw ingredients and freeze-dried minor ingredients were significantly higher than others (p<0.05). These results indicated that freeze-dried ingredients, such as green onion, garlic, and ginger, can be used in kimchi and would delay microbial growth and extend the shelf-life of kimchi without any deduction of sensory quality.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.373-380
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional components and antioxidant activities of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower (lotus flower, LF) and its wine (lotus flower wine, LF wine). The moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents of the LF were 85.90, 1.91, 0.30, 1.04, and 10.85%, respectively, and of the LF wine, 92.87, 1.70, 0.30, 0.15, and 5.17%, respectively. The total amino acids in the LF and the LF wine were 2,168 and 6,341 mg/kg, respectively. Palmitic acid (38.63%) was a major fatty acid in the crude fat of the LF, and oleic acid (76.24%) was a major fatty acid in the crude fat of the LF wine. The levels of potassium in the LF ($390.91{\pm}9.60mg/100g$) and the LF wine ($27.40{\pm}1.86mg/100g$) were higher than those of the other minerals. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of both the lotus flower water extract (LFW) and the lotus flower ethanol extract (LFE) were higher than those of the LF wine. In addition, the highest antioxidant activities and ORAC values were obtained from the LFW and the LFE. In conclusion, we found that the LF and the LF wine have potential as natural antioxidants due to their higher bioactive compound contents such as their total phenol and flavonoid contents.