• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1202-1209
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• 2008

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$) and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ojunghwan on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$), and on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $anti-IKK-{\alpha}$, $anti-NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Ojunghwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ and $PGE_2$ were inhibited in the Ojunghwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas that were improved in the Ojunghwan-administered groups. Ojunghwan inhibited the expression of $phospho-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $IKK-{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggest that Ojunghwan is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$, NO and $PGE_2$, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Ojunghwan might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation- related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.435-438
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• 2017

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) contains M. avium-intracellular complex (MAC), M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, M. abscessus, M. kansasii, etc., which causes infections in swine, poultry, and other animals. These bacteria are opportunistic pathogens that can contaminate people, and in doing so, cause various social economic problems. This study proved that NTM are also present in air conditioners of multiuse facilities in frequently visited populated areas. The results of this study are meaningful because they showed that pathogenic microbes can live in the surroundings and cause diseases to people with impaired immunity. This study used the AFB stain, L-J medium culture, and PCR method for the detection of MTB and NTM in air conditioner dust. MTB was not detected in any of the collected samples, while NTM was detected in 2 out of 40 samples (5%). Most people living in the modern environment cannot avoid being exposed to air conditioners so special attention is needed for sanitary inspections and the management of air conditioners. Moreover, it is important to study NTM through various individuals, accumulate the related data and establish the methods and standards of hygiene management system to reduce NTM infections in public areas. Moreover, it would be necessary to identify the precise species of NTM through DNA sequencing and evaluate the effects of NTM on the pulmonary tuberculosis in immunodeficiency patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.664-671
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside compound-Mc1 (Mc1) is a member of the deglycosylated ginsenosides obtained from ginseng extract. Although several ginsenosides have a cardioprotective effect, this has not been demonstrated in ginsenoside Mc1. Methods: We treated H9c2 cells with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ginsenoside Mc1 to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Mc1. The levels of antioxidant molecules, catalase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured, and cell viability was determined using the Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax):B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio, a cytotoxicity assay, and flow cytometry. We generated mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity using ginsenoside Mc1 and assessed their heart tissues to evaluate the antioxidant effect and the fibrosis-reducing capability of ginsenoside Mc1. Results: Ginsenoside Mc1 significantly increased the level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the H9c2 cells. The expression levels of catalase and SOD2 increased significantly after treatment with ginsenoside Mc1, resulting in a decrease in the production of H₂O₂-mediated reactive oxygen species. Treatment with ginsenoside Mc1 also significantly reduced the H₂O₂-mediated elevation of the Bax:Bcl2 ratio and the number of DNA-damaged cells, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with an AMPK inhibitor. Consistent with the in vitro data, ginsenoside Mc1 upregulated the levels of catalase and SOD2 and decreased the Bax:B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio and caspase-3 activity in the heart tissues of HFD-induced obese mice, resulting in reduced collagen deposition. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Mc1 decreases oxidative stress and increases cell viability in H9c2 cells and the heart tissue isolated from HFD-fed mice via an AMPK-dependent mechanism, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related cardiac diseases.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2014

Total 99 strains of Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 117 cases of duck's fecal samples. Among 99 strains of Campylobacter spp. isolates, 93 strains (93.9%) were C. jejuni and 6 strains (6.1%) were C. coli. Prevalence of virulence and GBS associated genes of 72 C. jejuni isolates was determined by m-PCR. Among the 10 kinds of virulence associated genes, cadF, dnaJ, flaA and ceuE genes were detected in all of C. jejuni isolates from ducks, racR, pldA, iamA, ciaB, virB11 and docC genes were 87.5%, 84.7%, 77.8%, 48.6%, 13.9% and 11.1%, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on 72 C. jejuni isolates. The rate of resistance were 62.5% for oxytetracycline, 55.6% for kanamycin, 54.2% for enrofloxacin, 50% for ciprofloxacin, 37.5% for tetracycline and nalidixic acid, 18.1% for ampicillin, 15.3% for streptomycin, and 6.9% for ofloxacin. All isolates were susceptible to erythromycin. The adherence (intracellular and extracellular bacteria) abilities of the 20 isolates to INT-407 cells were between $4.21{\pm}1.27{\times}10^4$ CFU/well and $1.053{\pm}0.451{\times}10^6$ CFU/well from the isolates of cj-55 and cj-52, respectively, and that can be expressed as 0.1033% to 5.2655% to the infecting inoculum. The invasion (intracellular bacteria) abilities of the 20 isolates to INT-407 were between $1.00{\pm}1.73{\times}10^3$ CFU/well and $8.47{\pm}5.16{\times}10^4$ CFU/well from the isolates of cj-13 and cj-47, respectively, and that can be expressed as 0.0050% to 0.4235% to the infecting inoculums. The average CFU/well of 20 campylobacters isolated from ducks for adherence to and invasion were $2.646{\pm}2.886{\times}10^5$ and $3.03{\pm}2.7{\times}10^4$ respectively, and that was $1.3230{\pm}1.2139%$ and $0.1516{\pm}0.1343%$ of the starting viable inoculum. There was considerable correlation ($R^2$=0.627) between the adherence and invasion ability of C. jejuni isolates for INT-407 cell.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2009

Objectives: Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ scavenging and NF-${\kappa}B$ related anti-inflammatory activities of Sotosaja-hwan in ob/ob mice. Methods: Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Sotosaja-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-phospho-$I{\kappa}B$-${\alpha}$, anti-IKK-${\alpha}$, anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-YCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Results: Sotosaja-hwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ and PGE2 were inhibited in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas the ratio was improved in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered groups. Sotosaja-hwan inhibited the protein expression levels of phospho-$I{\kappa}B$-${\alpha}$, IKK-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, YCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. Conclusions: These results suggest that Sotosaja-hwan is an effective $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ and NO scavenger and has NF-kB related anti-inflammatory activity in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Sotosaja-hwan might be a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.3 s.19
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• pp.180-185
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• 2005

Purpose: Among tumor-associated antigens, MAGE (melanoma antigen) was named as cancer/testis specific antigens because they are detected exclusively in the testis or cancer cells, including gastric carcinomas. Due to the elicitation of autoimmunitiy to tumors by these antigens either in vitro or in vivo and their tumor specificity, these antigens, thus, appear to be potential targets for tumor-specific immunotherapy. Materials and Methods: The fresh tumor tissue and normal gastric tissue samples were obtained from resected surgical specimens in 53 patients with gastric carcinomas. From the obtained cells, total cellular mRNA was extracted, and RT-PCR and nested PCR were run in 30 and 35 cycles respectively, with two different kinds of primers specially designed to detect six subtypes of MAGE DNA simultaneously. Results: In the 53 normal tissue, there was no expression of MAGE, but in the 53 cancer tissues, MAGE was expressed in 13 tissues (24.5%). Our data did not exhibit any correlation with the expression of the MAGE gene and clinicopathological factors. Conclusion: In our data, since 24.5% of gastric cancer tissues expressed MAGE, it should become possible to immunize a significant proportion of patients with advanced gastric carcinomas against the antigens encoded by these genes, provided that more antigenic peptides encoded by the genes of the MAGE family can be identified in the near future. (J Korean Gastric Cancer Assoc 2005;5:180-185)

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.10.1-10.12
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• 2012

Introduction: We investigated frameshift suppressor tRNAs previously reported to use five-base anticodon-codon interactions in order to provide a collection of frameshift suppressor tRNAs to the synthetic biology community and to develop modular frameshift suppressor logic devices for use in synthetic biology applications. Results and Discussion: We adapted eleven previously described frameshift suppressor tRNAs to the BioBrick cloning format, and built three genetic logic circuits to detect frameshift suppression. The three circuits employed three different mechanisms: direct frameshift suppression of reporter gene mutations, frameshift suppression leading to positive feedback via quorum sensing, and enzymatic amplification of frameshift suppression signals. In the course of testing frameshift suppressor logic, we uncovered unexpected behavior in the frameshift suppressor tRNAs. The results led us to posit a four-base binding hypothesis for the frameshift suppressor tRNA interactions with mRNA as an alternative to the published five-base binding model. Conclusion and Prospects: The published five-base anticodon/codon rule explained only 17 of the 58 frameshift suppression experiments we conducted. Our deduced four-base binding rule successfully explained 56 out of our 58 frameshift suppression results. In the process of applying biological knowledge about frameshift suppressor tRNAs to the engineering application of frameshift suppressor logic, we discovered new biological knowledge. This knowledge leads to a redesign of the original engineering application and encourages new ones. Our study reinforces the concept that synthetic biology is often a winding path from science to engineering and back again; scientific investigations spark engineering applications, the implementation of which suggests new scientific investigations.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.330-338
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is a ginseng saponin that is widely investigated because of its remarkable antitumor activity. However, the molecular mechanism by which (20S) G-Rh2 triggers its functions and how target animals avoid its cytotoxic action remains largely unknown. Methods: Phage display was used to screen the human targets of (20S) G-Rh2. Fluorescence spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy were used to confirm the interaction of candidate target proteins and (20S) G-Rh2. Molecular docking was utilized to calculate the estimated free energy of binding and to structurally visualize their interactions. MTT assay and immunoblotting were used to assess whether human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and bovine serum can reduce the cytotoxic activity of (20S) G-Rh2 in HepG2 cells. Results: In phage display, (20S) G-Rh2-beads and (20R) G-Rh2-beads were combined with numerous kinds of phages, and a total of 111 different human complementary DNAs (cDNA) were identified, including HSA which had the highest rate. The binding constant and number of binding site in the interaction between (20S)-Rh2 and HSA were $3.5{\times}10^5M^{-1}$ and 1, and those in the interaction between (20S) G-Rh2 and BSA were $1.4{\times}10^5M^{-1}$ and 1. The quenching mechanism is static quenching. HSA, BSA and bovine serum significantly reduced the proapoptotic effect of (20S) G-Rh2. Conclusion: HSA and BSA interact with (20S) G-Rh2. Serum inhibited the activity of (20S) G-Rh2 mainly due to the interaction between (20S) G-Rh2 and serum albumin (SA). This study proposes that HSA may enhance (20S) G-Rh2 water solubility, and thus might be used as nanoparticles in the (20S) G-Rh2 delivery process.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.341-349
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• 2020

Background: The replicative senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is accompanied by growth arrest. In our previous study, the treatment of senescent HDFs with Rg3(S) lowered the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reversed cellular senescence by inducing peroxiredoxin-3, an antioxidant enzyme. However, the signaling pathways involved in Rg3(S)-induced senescence reversal in HDFs and the relatedness of the stereoisomer Rg3(R) in corresponding signaling pathways are not known yet. Methods: We performed senescence-associated β-galactosidase and cell cycle assays in Rg3(S)-treated senescent HDFs. The levels of ROS, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as well as the mitochondrial DNA copy number, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺/1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio, and NAD-dependent sirtuins expression were measured and compared among young, old, and Rg3(S)-pretreated old HDFs. Major signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and sirtuin 1/3, including cell cycle regulatory proteins, were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3(S) reversed the replicative senescence of HDFs by restoring the ATP level and NAD⁺/NADH ratio in downregulated senescent HDFs. Rg3(S) recovered directly the cellular levels of ROS and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio in young HDFs inactivated by rotenone. Rg3(S) mainly downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt through the inhibition of mTOR by cell cycle regulators like p53/p21 in senescent HDFs, whereas Rg3(R) did not alter the corresponding signaling pathways. Rg3(S)-activated sirtuin 3/PGC1α to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Cellular molecular analysis suggests that Rg3(S) specifically reverses the replicative senescence of HDFs by modulating Akt-mTOR-sirtuin signaling to promote the biogenesis of mitochondria.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.201-212
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• 2011

The alkaline protease gene was cloned from a halo-tolerant alkalophilic Bacillus clausii I-52 isolated from the heavily polluted tidal mud flat of West Sea in Inchon Korea, which produced a strong extracellular alkaline protease (BCAP). Based on the full genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis, PCR primers were designed to allow for the amplification and cloning of the intact pro-BCAP gene including promoter region. The full-length gene consists of 1,143 bp and encodes 381 amino acids, which includes 29 residues of a putative signal peptide and an additional 77-amino-acid propeptide at its N-terminus. The mature BCAP deduced from the nucleotide sequence consists of 275 amino acids with a N-terminal amino acid of Ala, and a relative molecular weight and pI value was 27698.7 Da and 6.3, respectively. The amino acid sequence shares the highest similarity (99%) to the nattokinase precursor from B. subtilis and subtilisin E precursor from B. subtilis BSn5. The substrate specificity indicated that the recombinant BCAP could hydrolyze efficiently the synthetic substrate, N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA,and did not hydrolyze the substrates with basic amino acids at the P1 site. The recombinant BCAP was strongly inhibited by typical serine protease inhibitor, PMSF, indicating that BCAP is a member of the serine proteases.