• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2015

The addition of growth factors and cytokines to in vitro culture (IVC) media could affect embryo development and the quality of the resulting blastocysts. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of porcine induced pluripotent stem cell (piPSC)-culture conditioned medium (CM) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and development of parthenogentic embryos (parthenotes) in pigs. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) or activated oocytes were cultured in IVM or IVC medium supplemented with 0 (control), 25, or 50% of stem cell medium (SM) or CM, respectively. The maturation rate of CM-25% group was significantly improved when compared with control group (p<0.05), but that was not different among SM or CM groups. Blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher in CM-25% group (29.2%) than that of control (20.7%), SM-50% (19.6%) and CM-50% (23.66%, p<0.05). Cell number and the apoptotic cell index in blastocysts was significantly lower in SM-25% than in CM-25% group (p<0.05). The embryo quality related genes, OCT4, KLF4, TERT and ZFP42, were significantly increased in CM-25% group compared with control (p<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 25% of CM to IVM and IVC medium positively influences not only the developmental potential also quality of parthenotes in pig.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.50-58
• /
• 2016

The root bark of Ulmus macrocarpa has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as edema, infection and inflammation. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effects remain unclear. In this study, as part of our ongoing screening program to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of new compounds from traditional medicinal resources, we investigated the effects of U. macrocarpa water extract (UME) on immune modulation in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage model. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were evaluated. Although the release of IL-1β remained unchanged in UME-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the productions of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased, along with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase, TNF-α and IL-10 expression at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. UME treatment also induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) indicating that UME activated macrophages through the activation of NF-κB, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, pre-treatment with UME significantly attenuated the production of NO, but not TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells suggesting that UME may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of UME may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.78-82
• /
• 2012

Soybean [$Glycine$ $max$ (L.) Merr.] protein is a high quality source for food and feed. But, antinutritional factors in the raw mature soybean are exist. Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) protein is a main antinutritional factor in soybean seed. Also, P34 protein, referred as $Gly$ $m$ Bd 30K, has been identified as a predominant immunodominant allergen. Genetic relationship between KTI protein and P34 protein could be useful in soybean breeding program for the genetic elimination or reduction of these factors. The objective of this study was to determine the independent inheritance or linkage between KTI protein and P34 protein in soybean seed. A total of 479 $F_2$ seeds were obtained from the cross of 07B1 and PI567476 parents. KTI protein and relative amount of P34 protein were analysed from $F_2$ seeds harvested from the F1 plants by using SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The segregation ratios of 3 : 1 for KTI protein (353 KTI protein present : 126 KTI protein absent) and relative amount of P34 protein (363 normal amount of P34 protein : 116 low amount of P34 protein). The segregation ratio of 3 : 1 suggested that KTI protein and relative amount of P34 protein in mature soybean seed were controlled by a single major gene. The segregation ratios of 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 (266 KTI protein present, normal amount of P34 protein: 88 KTI protein present, low amount of P34 protein: 102 KTI protein absent, normal amount of P34 protein: 23 KTI protein absent, low amount of P34 protein) and Chi-square value (${\chi}^2$=3.31, P=0.346) were observed in $F_2$ seeds. This data showed that KTI protein was inherited independently with relative amount of P34 protein in soybean. These results will be helpful in breeding program for selecting the line with lacking KTI protein and reduced amount of P34 protein in soybean.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.513-545
• /
• 2000

I. Introduction Bi(痺) means blocking. It can reach at the joints or muscles or whole body and make pains. Numbness and movement disorders. BiJeung can be devided into SilBi and HeoBi. In SilBi there are PungHanSeupBi, YeolBi and WanBi. In HeoBi, there are GiHyeolHeoBi, EumHeoBi and YangHeoBi. The common principle for the treatment of BiJeung is devision of the chronic stage and the acute stage. In the acute stage, BiJeung is usually cured easily but in the chronic stage, it is difficult. In the terminal stage, BiJeung can reach at the internal organs. BiJeung is one kind of symptoms making muscles, bones and jonts feel pain, numbness or edema. For example it can be gout or SLE etc. Many famous doctors studied medical science by their fathers or teachers. So the history of medical science is long. So I studied ${\ll}Bijeungjujip{\gg}$. II. Final Decision 1. BanSuMun(斑秀文) thought that BiJeung can be cured by blocking of blood stream. So he insisted that the important thing to cure BiJeung is to improve the blood stream. He usually used DangGuiSaYeokTang(當歸四逆湯), DangGuiJakYakSanHapORyeongSan, DoHong-SaMulTang(桃紅四物湯), SaMyoSanHapHeuiDongTang and HwangGiGyeJiOMulTang. 2. JangGeonBu(張健夫) focused on soothing muscles and improving blood seam. So he used many herbs like WiRyeongSeon(威靈仙), GangHwal(羌活), DokHwal(獨活), WooSeul(牛膝), etc. Especially he pasted wastes of the boiled herbs. 3. OSeongNong(吳聖農) introduced four rules to treat arthritis. So he usually used SeoGak-SanGaGam(犀角散加減), BoYanHwanOTang(補陽還五湯), ODuTang(烏頭湯), HwangGiGyeJiOMulTang. 4. GongJiSin thought disk hernia as one kind of BiJeung. And he said that Pung can hurt upper limbs and Seup can hurt lower limbs. He used to use GyeJiJakYakJiMoTang(桂枝芍藥知母湯). 5. LoJiJeong(路志正) introduced four principles to treat BiJeung. He used BangPungTang(防風湯), DaeJinGuTang) for PungBi(風痺), OPaeTang(烏貝湯) for HanBi(寒痺), YukGunJaTang(六君子湯) for SeupBi(濕痺) and SaMyoTang(四妙湯), SeonBiTang(宣痺湯), BaekHoGaGyeTang(白虎加桂湯) for YeolBi(熱痺). 6. GangChunHwa(姜春華) discussed herbs. He said SaengJiHwang(生地黃) is effective for PungSeupBi and WiRyungSun(威靈仙) is effective for the joints pain. He usually used SipJeonDaeBoTang(十全大補湯), DangGuiDaeBoTang(當歸大補湯), YoukGunJaTang(六君子湯) and YukMiJiHwanTang(六味地黃湯). 7. DongGeonHwa(董建華) said that the most important thing to treat BiJeung is how to use herbs. He usually used CheonO(川烏), MaHwang(麻黃) for HanBi, SeoGak(犀角) for YeolBi, BiHae) or JamSa(蠶沙) for SeupBi, SukJiHwang(熟地黃) or Vertebrae of Pigs for improving the function of kidney and liver, deer horn or DuChung(杜沖) for improving strength of body and HwangGi(黃?) or OGaPi(五加皮) for improving the function of heart. 8. YiSuSan(李壽山) devided BiJeung into two types(PungHanSeupBi, PungYeolSeupBi). And he used GyeJiJakYakJiMoTang(桂枝芍藥知母湯) for the treatment of gout. And he liked to use HwanGiGyeJiOMulTangHapSinGiHwan 枝五物湯合腎氣丸) for the treat ment of WanBi(頑痺). 9. AnDukHyeong(顔德馨) made YongMaJeongTongDan(龍馬定痛丹)-(MaJeonJa(馬錢子) 30g, JiJaChung 3g, JiRyong(地龍) 3g, JeonGal(全蝎) 3g, JuSa(朱砂) 0.3g) 10. JangBaekYou(張伯臾) devided BiJeung into YeolBi and HanBi. And he focused on improving blood stream. 11. JinMuO(陳茂梧) introduced anti-wind and dampness prescription(HoJangGeun(虎杖根) 15g, CheonChoGeun 15g, SangGiSaeng(桑寄生) 15g, JamSa(蠶絲) 15g, JeMaJeonJa(制馬錢子) 3g). 12. YiChongBo(李總甫) explained basic prescriptions to treat BiJeung. He used SinJeongChuBiEum(新定推痺陰) for HaengBi(行痺), SinJeongHwaBiSan(新定化痺散) for TongBi(痛痺), SinJeongGaeBiTang(新定開痺湯) for ChakBi(着痺), SinJeongCheongBiEum(新定淸痺飮) for SeupYeolBi(濕熱痺), SinRyeokTang(腎瀝湯) for PoBi(胞痺), ORyeongSan for BuBi(腑痺), OBiTang(五痺湯) for JangBi(臟痺), SinChakTang(腎着湯) for SingChakByeong(腎着病). 13. HwangJeonGeuk(黃傳克) used SaMu1SaDeungHapJe(四物四藤合制) for the treatment of a acute arthritis, PalJinHpPalDeungTang(八珍合八藤湯) or BuGyeJiHwangTangHapTaDeungTang(附桂地黃湯合四藤湯) for the chronic stage and ByeolGapJeungAekTongRakEum(鱉甲增液通絡飮) for EumHeo(陰虛) 14. GaYeo(柯與參) used HwalRakJiTongTang(活絡止痛湯) for shoulder ache, SoJongJinTongHwalRakTank(消腫鎭痛活絡湯) for YeolBi(熱痺), LiGwanJeolTang(利關節湯) for ChakBi(着痺), SinBiTang(腎痺湯) for SinBi(腎痺) and SamGyoBoSinHwan(三膠補腎丸) for back ache. 15. JangGilJin(蔣길塵) liked to use hot-character herbs and insects. And he used SeoGeunLipAnTang(舒筋立安湯) as basic prescription. 16. RyuJangGeol(留章杰) used GuMiGangHwalTang(九味羌活湯) and BangPungTang(防風湯) at the acute stage, ODuTang(烏頭湯) or GyeJiJakYakJiMoTang(桂枝芍藥知母湯) for HanBi of internal organs, YangHwaHaeEungTang(陽和解凝湯) for HanBi, DokHwalGiSaengTang(獨活寄生湯), EuiYiInTang(薏苡仁湯) for SeupBi, YukGunJaTang(六君子湯) for GiHeoBi(氣虛痺) and SeongYouTang(聖兪湯) for HyeolHeoBi(血虛痺). 17. YangYuHak(楊有鶴) liked to use SoGyeongHwalHyelTang(疏經活血湯) and he would rather use DoIn(桃仁), HongHwa(紅花), DangGui(當歸), CheonGung(川芎) than insects. 18. SaHongDo(史鴻濤) made RyuPungSeupTang(類風濕湯)-((HwangGi 200g, JinGu 20g, BangGi(防己) 15g, HongHwa(紅花) 15g, DoIn(桃仁) 15g, CheongPungDeung(靑風藤) 20g, JiRyong(地龍) 15g, GyeJi(桂枝) 15g, WoSeul(牛膝) 15g, CheonSanGap(穿山甲) 15g, BaekJi(白芷) 15g, BaekSeonPi(白鮮皮) 15g, GamCho(甘草) 15g).

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.3 s.76
• /
• pp.433-441
• /
• 2006

Polyamines are essential for the normal cell growth and differentiation. They are also known to have paradoxical dual effects on cell proliferation. In this paper we show that the excess amount of polyamines induces apoptosis through the modulation of calcium signaling in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Polyamines, particularly spermidine and spermine, stimulated cell proliferation at a lower concentration (under 10 ${\mu}M$), but it inhibited cell viability at a higher concentration (40 ${\mu}M$). The levels of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration were increased only at a high concentration of polyamines treatment without any noticeable changes at lower concentrations. Nifedipine did not alter the increase of polyamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ levels, but flufenamic acid totally abolished the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels. These results mean that polyamines induce $Ca^{2+}$ influx from the surroundings through nonselective cation channels on the cell membrane. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was almost completely blocked, but the level of Bax protein was increased dramatically in the cells treated with high concentration of polyamine. The present study shows that polyamines at a high concentration induce apoptosis through the modulation of intracellular calcium signaling. The increase of intracellular calcium level induced by polyamines, was possibly a result from the extracellular calcium influx through the nonselective cation channels.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.608-615
• /
• 2018

Benzalkonium chloride, diazolidinyl urea, and imidazolidinyl urea are commonly used preservatives in cosmetics. Recent reports suggested that these compounds may have cellular and systemic toxicity in high concentration. In addition, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea are known formaldehyde (FA) releasers, raising concerns for these cosmetic preservatives. In this study, we investigated the effects of benzalkonium chloride, diazolidinyl urea, and imidazolidinyl urea on ROS-dependent apoptosis of rat neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in vitro. Cells were isolated and cultured from embryonic day 14 rat cortices. Cultured cells were treated with 1-1,000 nM benzalkonium chloride, and $1-50{\mu}M$ diazolidinyl urea or imidazolidinyl urea at various time points to measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS). PI staining, MTT assay, and live-cell imaging were used for cell viability measurements. Western blot was carried out for cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-8 as apoptotic protein markers. In rat NPCs, ROS production and cleaved caspase-8 expression were increased while the cell viability was decreased in high concentrations of these substances. These results suggest that several cosmetic preservatives at high concentrations can induce neural toxicity in rat brains through ROS induction and apoptosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.149-158
• /
• 2017

Variant surface antigens (VSAs) encoded by pir families are considered to be the key proteins used by many Plasmodium spp. to escape the host immune system by antigenic variation. This attribute of VSAs is a critical issue in the development of a novel vaccine. In this regard, a population genetic study of vir genes from Plasmodium vivax was performed in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Eighty-five venous blood samples and 4 of the vir genes, namely vir 27, vir 21, vir 12, and vir 4, were selected for study. The number of segregating sites (S), number of haplotypes (H), haplotype diversity (Hd), DNA diversity (${\pi}$ and ${\Theta}_w$), and Tajima's D test value were conducted. Phylogenetic trees of each gene were constructed. The vir 21 (S=143, H=22, Hd=0.827) was the most genetically diverse gene, and the vir 4 (S=6, H=4, Hd=0.556) was the opposite one. Tajima's D values for vir 27 (1.08530, P>0.1), vir 12 (2.89007, P<0.01), and vir 21 (0.40782, P>0.1) were positive, and that of vir 4 (-1.32162, P>0.1) was negative. All phylogenetic trees showed 2 clades with no particular branching according to the geographical differences and cluster. This study is the first survey on the vir genes in ROK, providing information on the genetic level. The sample sequences from vir 4 showed a clear difference to the Sal-1 reference gene sequence, whereas they were very similar to those from Indian isolates.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.191-198
• /
• 2010

To predict and design of new potent insecticidal compounds, the two dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (2D-QSARs) and molecular hologram quantitative structure-activity relationships (HQSARs) between the various physicochemical parameters as descripters of N'-phenyl-N-methylformamidine analogues (1-22) and their insecticidal activity against the two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) were discussed quantitatively. From 2D-QSAR models (1 & 3), the width ($B_2$) of $R_3$-group as sterically factor and optimal total dipole moment (TDM=2.025D) of $R_4$-group were mainly influenced to increase the activity. Therefore, the activities were depend upon the $R_3$- and $R_4$-groups. Particularly, it is predicted that the activity of newly designed potent compound (PI; $EC_{50}$=0.516 ppm) by 2D-QSAR models (3) and HQSAR model F2 was about 34.3 fold higher than that of the commercialized insecticide, Amitraz ($EC_{50}$=17.7 ppm).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.370-377
• /
• 2001

Flounder brain cytosol contains protein inhibitors that markedly inhibit the activity of partially purified brain membrane phospholipase D (PLD) which is dependent on phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ($PIP_2$) but insensitive to ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF), The PLD inhibitors have been enriched through several chromatographic steps and characterized with respect to size and mechanism of inhibition. Sequential chromatography of the brain cytosol yielded six inhibitor fractions, Two (IIA and IIB) of six inhibitor fractions showed the $PIP_2$-phosphatase activities. IIA was identified as synaptojanin, a nerve terminal protein that has known to be a member of the inositolpolyphosphate 5-phosphatase family, by immunoblot analysis. IIB showed an apparent molecular mass of 158 kDa by Superose 12 gel filtration chromatography and was immunologically distinct from synaptojanin. IIB hydrolyzed $PIP_2$, yielding only phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) as product, suggesting that IIB hydrolyzes only one phosphate from either the 4- or 5-position of PI (4,5)$P_2$. These studies demonstrate that the existence of multiple $PIP_2$-phosphatases have been implicated in the negative regulation of $PIP_2$-dependent PLD activity within flounder brain.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.277-288
• /
• 2003

It has been suggested that increased number and activity of phagocytes in periodontitis lesion results in a high degree of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. There are few reports on the relationship between ROS and MMPs expressions in gingival fibroblast. We studied to elucidate whether and how ROS, especially nitric oxide affects the MMP expression. Human gingival fibroblasts and HTl080 cells (human fibrosarcoma sell line as reference) were grown in DMEM supplemented with 10 mM HEPES, 50 mg/L gentamicin, and 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum with addition of various reactive oxygen species (ROS). Culture media conditioned by cells were examined by gelatin zymography. HT1080 cells expressed proMMP-2 and proMMP-9, but human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) produced only proMMP-2. Hydrogen peroxide upregulated MMP-9 expression in HT1080 cells, whereas in human gingival fibroblast SNP treatment showed marked increase in MMP-2 level compared to other ROS. These results suggest that the effects of ROS on MMPs expressions are cell-type specific. RT-PCR for MMP-2 and TIMP-2 m-RNA were performed using total RNA from cultured cells under the influence various kinase inhibitors. In HT1080 cells, treatment with FPTI III (Ras processing inhibitor) and LY294002 (PI3-kinase inhibitor) resulted in inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions, suggesting that Ras/P13-kinase pathway is important for MMPs expression in HT1080 cells. In gingival fibroblasts, treatment with FPTI III and PDTC (NF-kB inhibitor) showed marked decrease in MMP-2 regardless of the of SNP , suggesting that Ras/NF-kB could be the key pathway for NO-induced MMP-2 expression in gingival fibroblasts. This study showed that ROS, especially nitric oxide, could be the critical mediator of periodontal disease progression through control of MMP-2 expression in gingival fibroblasts possibly via Ras/NF-kB pathway.