• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.335-344
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Cyantraniliprole is a systemic diamide insecticide that has been used to control lepidopteran pests in agriculture. Cyantraniliprole has become an issue due to its potentiality of unexpectable contamination in rotational crop cultivation. Thus, studies on the evaluation of cyantraniliprole translocated from soil into rotational crops are required. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cyantraniliprole was treated at a yearly maximum application level onto bare soil under greenhouse conditions in two geographically different regions. Lettuce was transplanted and spinach and radish were sown onto the soil 30 and 60 days-plant back intervals (PBIs) after cyantraniliprole treatment. The QuEChERS method was modified and coupled with LC/MS/MS analysis to determine the residues of cyantraniliprole in soil and plant samples. The methods for sample preparation and instrumental conditions were validated to meet the criteria of Codex guidelines and were successful to determine cyantraniliprole quantitatively and qualitatively in the samples. Cyantraniliprole residues in lettuce samples were 0.01 mg/kg for PBI 60 and 0.02 mg/kg for PBI 30, respectively. The residues in spinach samples were 0.01 mg/kg for PBI 60 and 0.01~0.02 mg/kg for PBI 30, respectively. Less than limit of the quantitation (LOQ) level (0.01 mg/kg) of cyantraniliprole was observed in radish samples. The residues in the plant samples were found as the levels less than maximum residue limit (MRL) for leafy and root vegetables. CONCLUSION(S): This study suggests PBI 30~60 days for rotational cultivation of lettuce, spinach and radish in greenhouse soil treated with cyantraniliprole at a yearly maximum application level.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1008-1015
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• 2018

$I{\kappa}B$, a cytoplasmic inhibitor of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), is reportedly degraded via the proteasome. However, we recently found that long-term incubation with proteasome inhibitors (PIs) such as PS-341 or MG132 induces $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation via an alternative pathway, lysosome, which results in $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and confers resistance to PI-induced lung cancer cell death. To enhance the anti-cancer efficacy of PIs, elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of PI-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation is necessary. Here, we demonstrated that PI up-regulates nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) via both de novo protein synthesis and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) degradation, which is responsible for $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation via macroautophagy activation. PIs increased the protein level of light chain 3B (LC3B, macroautophagy marker), but not lysosome-associated membrane protein 2a (Lamp2a, the receptor for chaperone-mediated autophagy) in NCI-H157 and A549 lung cancer cells. Pretreatment with macroautophagy inhibitor or knock-down of LC3B blocked PI-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation. PIs up-regulated Nrf2 by increasing its transcription and mediating degradation of KEAP1 (cytoplasmic inhibitor of Nrf2). Overexpression of dominant-negative Nrf2, which lacks an N-terminal transactivating domain, or knock-down of Nrf2 suppressed PI-induced LC3B protein expression and subsequent $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation. Thus, blocking of the Nrf2 pathway enhanced PI-induced cell death. These findings suggest that Nrf2-driven induction of LC3B plays an essential role in PI-induced activation of the $I{\kappa}B$/$NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway, which attenuates the anti-tumor efficacy of PIs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are designated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by Stockholm Convention because they bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effect to human health and the environment. Apple and pear is economic crop in agriculture, and its cultivation area and yield has been increased. Therefore, we tried to investigate the OCPs residue in apple and pear orchard soils and fruits. METHODS AND RESULTS: Extraction and clean-up method were developed using the modified QuEChERS method for residual organochlorine pesticides (ROCPs) in apple and pear orchard soil and fruits. Recovery and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of ROCPs in soil and fruits were 75.4-101.4 and 76.9-93.4%, 0.03-0.21 and $0.6-1.2{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. Detected ROCPs in apple and pear orchard soil was 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDD, 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDT, and endosulfan sulfate, the residues were 2.2, 1.9-48.0, 1.3-84.1, 90.6-863.1, and $11.3-239.0{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. But five pesticides in all fruit samples were not detected. CONCLUSION: These results showed that ROCPs residues in apple and pear orchard soil had no effect on safety of agricultural products.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine residual characteristics of soil-treated metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran in crown daisy and to evaluate the risks from intake of the residual pesticides in the crop. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pesticide granules were treated in soil on two levels, and the plants samples were collected 51 days after seeding. The analytes were extracted and partitioned using the QuEChERS extraction packet (MgSO₄ 4 g, NaCl 1 g). The quantitative methods for metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran were validated in linearity, accuracy, and precision. Risk assessments of the pesticides were performed using Korea national nutrition statistics 2019. CONCLUSION(S): The residual concentrations of metalaxyl-M in crown daisy were 0.09-0.10 mg/kg (for the treatment at 6 kg/10 a) and 0.17-0.19 mg/kg (12 kg/10 a), respectively. The residual concentrations of dinotefuran in the crop were 0.53-0.75 mg/kg (3 kg/10 a) and 1.17-1.26 mg/kg (6 kg/10 a). The amounts of pesticides were less than MRL (Maximum Residue Limits) according to the Korean MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). The HI (Hazard Index) of metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran for consumers was 0.0075% and 0.2250%, respectively. For females in the age between 50-64, the major consumer group, the HIs of the pesticides were <3%. Considering the consumption of crown daisy, they are not considered to be of toxicological concern.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1163-1174
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• 2021

Casein-derived antioxidant peptides by using microbial proteases have gained increasing attention. Combination of two microbial proteases, Protin SD-NY10 and Protease A "Amano" 2SD, was employed to hydrolyze casein to obtain potential antioxidant peptides that were identified by LC-MS/MS, chemically synthesized and characterized in a oxidatively damaged HepG2 cell model. Four peptides, YQLD, FSDIPNPIGSEN, FSDIPNPIGSE, YFYP were found to possess high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability. Evaluation with HepG2 cells showed that the 4 peptides at low concentrations (< 1.0 mg/ml) protected the cells against oxidative damage. The 4 peptides exhibited different levels of antioxidant activity by stimulating mRNA and protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), but decreasing the mRNA expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Furthermore, these peptides decreased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), but increased glutathione (GSH) production in HepG2 cells. Therefore, the 4 casein-derived peptides obtained by using microbial proteases exhibited different antioxidant activity by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, and they could serve as potential antioxidant agents in functional foods or pharmaceutic preparation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2023

Sulfonylurea herbicides are widely used in agriculture because they have a long residual period and high selectivity. An analytical method was developed using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) technique for simultaneous determination of sulfonylurea herbicide residues in agricultural products by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and for establishment MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) of those herbicides in Korea. Extraction was performed using acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid with MgSO₄ (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and NaCl (sodium chloride) and the extract was cleaned up using MgSO₄ and C₁₈ (octadecyl). The matrix-matched calibration curves were composed of 7 concentration levels from 0.001 to 0.25 mg/kg and their coefficients of determination (R²) exceeded 0.99. The recoveries of three spiking levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, 50LOQ, n=5) were in the range of 71.7-114.9% with relative standard deviations of less than 20.0% for all the five agriculture products. All validation values met criteria of the European Union SANTE/11312/2021 guidelines and Food and Drug Safety Evaluation guidelines. Therefore, the proposed analytical method was accurate, effective, and sensitive for sulfonylurea herbicide residues determination in agricultural commodities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.368-378
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• 2024

Cordycepin, a valuable bioactive component isolated from Cordyceps militaris, has been reported to possess anti-cancer potential and the property to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in various types of cancers. However, the ability of cordycepin to chemosensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to gemcitabine has not yet been evaluated. The current study was performed to evaluate the above, and the mechanisms associated with it. The study analyzed the effects of cordycepin in combination with gemcitabine on the cancer stem-like properties of the CCA SNU478 cell line, including its anti-apoptotic, migratory, and antioxidant effects. In addition, the combination of cordycepin and gemcitabine was evaluated in the CCA xenograft model. The cordycepin treatment significantly decreased SNU478 cell viability and, in combination with gemcitabine, additively reduced cell viability. The cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly increased the Annexin V+ population and downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting that the decreased cell viability in the cordycepin+gemcitabine group may result from an increase in apoptotic death. In addition, the cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly reduced the migratory ability of SNU478 cells in the wound healing and trans-well migration assays. It was observed that the cordycepin and gemcitabine cotreatment reduced the CD44^highCD133^high population in SNU478 cells and the expression level of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2), indicating the downregulation of the cancer stem-like population. Cordycepin also enhanced oxidative damage mediated by gemcitabine in MitoSOX staining associated with the upregulated Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression ratio. In the SNU478 xenograft model, co-administration of cordycepin and gemcitabine additively delayed tumor growth. These results indicate that cordycepin potentiates the chemotherapeutic property of gemcitabine against CCA, which results from the downregulation of its cancer-stem-like properties. Hence, the combination therapy of cordycepin and gemcitabine may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of CCA.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.647-657
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• 2024

Gefitinib is the well-tolerated first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. As it needs analgesics during oncology treatment, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease, where patients are more susceptible to contract high fever and sore throat. This has increased the likelihood of taking both gefitinib and antipyretic analgesic acetaminophen (APAP). Given that gefitinib and APAP overdose can predispose patients to liver injury or even acute liver failure, there is a risk of severe hepatotoxicity when these two drugs are used concomitantly. However, little is known regarding their safety at therapeutic doses. This study simulated the administration of gefitinib and APAP at clinically relevant doses in an animal model and confirmed that gefitinib in combination with APAP exhibited additional hepatotoxicity. We found that gefitinib plus APAP significantly exacerbated cell death, whereas each drug by itself had little or minor effect on hepatocyte survival. Mechanistically, combination of gefitinib and APAP induces hepatocyte death via the apoptotic pathway obviously. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage accumulation are involved in hepatocyte apoptosis. Gefitinib plus APAP also promotes the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and downregulated the antioxidant factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), by inhibiting p62 expression. Taken together, this study revealed the potential ROS-mediated apoptosis-dependent hepatotoxicity effect of the combination of gefitinib and APAP, in which the p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway participates and plays an important regulatory role.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Many farmers who cultivate the strawberries for export have used agricultural chemicals which MRL (Maximum Residue Limits) of main export target countries or simultaneous multi-residue analysis in Korea have not been established. Among them, the cyenopyrafen and cyflumetofen were selected and applied to this study to determine the PHI (pre-harvest interval) which is appropriate to the PLS (Positive List System) criterion (0.01 mg/kg) and to investigate the residual amounts in the samples. In addition, Fifty pesticides were monitored to check up whether it is suitable or not for main export target countries. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cyenopyrafen and cyflumetofen were spayed out to the strawberries. Samples for residual analyses were taken for maximum 60 days. After sampling, they were extracted by the QuEChERS method and analyzed using the LC-MS/MS. Cyenopyrafen and cyflumetofen were detected in a range of 0.0106~2.6517 mg/kg and of 0.0005~1.4480 mg/kg, respectively. From this results, they were found to be suitable for PLS concentration after 30 or 45 days after spray. In addition, they were detected in most samples that were selected at random. Their concentrations were higher than the PLS criterion in the maximum twenty samples. Twelve of pesticides unsuitable for main export target countries have been detected in the monitoring of simultaneous multi-residue analysis. The result indicates they are unsuitable for export since they excesses over PLS criterion. CONCLUSION: The monitoring result showed it is necessary to establish the pesticide standards of safe use suitable for the PLS criterion. In addition, it is considered continues management and inspection are needed to solve problems caused by unsuitable pesticides in export strawberries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.459-464
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• 2017

Biphenyl is used as an intermediate in the production of crop protection products, a solvent in pharmaceutical production, and as a component in the preservation of citrus fruits in many countries. Biphenyl is not authorized for use and also does not have standards or specifications as a food additive in Korea. National and imported food products are likely to contain biphenyl. Therefore, control and management of these products is required. In this study, a simple analytical method was developed and validated using HPLC to determine biphenyl in food. These methods are validated by assessing certain performance parameters: linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ). The calibration curve was obtained from 1.0 to $100.0{\mu}g/mL$ with satisfactory relative standard deviations (RSD) of 0.999 in the representative sample (orange). In the measurement of quality control (QC) samples, accuracy was in the range of 95.8~104.0% within normal values. The inter-day and inter-day precision values were less than 2.4% RSD in the measurement of QC samples. Recoveries of biphenyl from spiked orange samples ranged from 92.7 to 99.4% with RSD between 0.7 and 1.7% at levels of 10, 50, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. The LOD and LOQ were determined to be 0.04 and $0.13{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. These results show that the developed method is appropriate for biphenyl identification and can be used to examine the safety of citrus fruits and surface treatments containing biphenyl residues.