• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.55-67
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• 2019

The incidences of cancer are continuously increasing worldwide, affecting life of millions of people. Several factors associated with the internal and external environment are responsible for this deadly disease. The key internal determinants like abnormal hormonal regulation, genetic mutations and external determinants such as lifestyle and occupational factors enhances onset of cancer. From the ancient time, plants were remained as the most trusted source of medicine for the treatment of diverse disease conditions. Extensive studies have been performed for the discovery of effective anticancer agent from the plant and still it is going on. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are biologically active phytochemicals having a different range of activities such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hypertensive, antiulcerogenic and anti-tumor. These compounds generally contain ursane, oleanane, lupane and friedelane as a chief skeleton of pentacyclic triterpenoids which are generally present in higher plants. Isoprene unit, phytochemical, with good antitumor/anticancer activity is required for the biosynthesis of pentacyclic triterpenoids. Mechanisms such as cytotoxicity, DNA polymerase inhibition, regulation of apoptosis, change in signal transductions, interfere with angiogenesis and dedifferentiation, antiproliferative activity and metastasis inhibition are might be responsible for their anticancer effect. Present review spotlights diverse targets, mechanisms and pathways of pentacyclic triterpenoids responsible for anticancer effect.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2018

This study is focused on manganese (Mn(II)) removal by ozonation in surface water. Instant ozone demand for the water was 0.5 mg/L in the study. When 0.5 mg/L of Mn(II) is existed in water, the optimum ozone concentration was 1.25 mg/L with reaction time 10 minutes to meet the drinking water regulation. The ozone concentration to meet the drinking water regulation was much higher than the stoichiometric concentration. The reaction of soluble manganese removal was so fast that the reaction time does not affect the removal dramatically. When Mn(II) is existed with Fe, the removal of Mn(II) was not affected by Fe ion. However As(V) is existed as co-ion the removal of Mn(II) was decreased by 10%. Adding ozone to surface water has limited effect to remove dissolved organic matter. When ozone is used as oxidant to remove Mn(II) in the water, the existing co-ion should be evaluated to determine optimum concentration.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.197-207
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm effect of reducing inflammation of Coptis chinensis extract-ceramide complex through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) control in atopic dermatitis. Methods: 8-week-old ICR mice were divided into normal group (Ctrl), lipid barrier elimination group (ADE), palmitoylethanolamide treated group after lipid barrier elimination (PEAT), and Coptis chinensis extract-ceramide complex applied group after lipid barrier elimination (CRA). After inducing atopic dermatitis, cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1, CB2, CD68, p-I𝜅B, iNOS, substance P and serotonin were observed to confirm the regulation of the ECS, macrophage activity and mast cell activity. Results: CB1 and CB2 showed higher positive reactions in the CRA than in the ADE and PEAT. CD68, p-I𝜅B and iNOS showed higher positive reaction in the ADE, PEAT and CRA than in the Ctrl, but the increase in the positive reaction was lower in the CEA compared to the ADE and PEAT. Substance P and serotonin showed higher positive reaction in the ADE, PEAT and CRA than in the Ctrl, but the increase in the positive reaction was lower in the CEA compared to the ADE and PEAT. Conclusions: The effects of Coptis chinensis extract -ceramide complex were confirmed on the regulation of the ECS, macrophage activity and mast cell activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2008

The present study was undertaken to determine whether hypoxia influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Hypoxia significantly inhibited fluoride-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function, but there was no relaxation on thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619-induced contraction suggesting that other pathway such as $Ca^{2+}$ entry or thin filament regulation was not affected. In addition, hypoxia significantly decreased fluoride-induced increase of phospho-myosin-targeting subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase (pMYPT1). Interestingly, hypoxia didn't inhibit significantly phenylephrine-induced contraction suggesting that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activity or thin filament regulation is less important on the hypoxia-induced vasorelaxation in the denuded muscle than Rho-kinase activity. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the vasodilation effect of hypoxia on the agonist-specific contraction in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2020

The extract of Cudrania tricuspidata is used in ethnomedicine throughout Eastern Asia in China, Korea and Japan. In Korean traditional medicine, Cudrania tricuspidata has been used to treat eczema, mumps, tuberculosis, contusions, insomnia and acute arthritis. In addition, it has been reported that root extract of Cudrania tricuspidata has anti-platelet effects. Therefore, we investigated which compound in Cudrania tricuspidata has inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. In this study, we tried to explain the inhibitory mechanism of steppogenin from Cudrania tricuspidata on human platelet aggregation. Collagen-induced human platelet aggregation and [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization were dose-dependently inhibited by steppogenin and we determined the inhibition by steppogenin is due to the down regulation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase(ERK) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor type I(IP₃RI) phosphorylation. In addition, steppogenin inhibited collagen-induced fibronectin adhesion to αIIb/β3 and thromboxane A₂ generation. Thus, in the present study, steppogenin showed an inhibitory effect on human platelet aggregation, suggesting its potential use for preventing platelet-induced cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.324-328
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• 2023

Excessive inflammation in the body causes immune cells to release cytokines that damage normal tissues and cells, leading to rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. Pulsed magnetic field(PMF) stimulation has many applications in the treatment of neurological, muscular disorders and pain. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the effect of PMF stimulation on the regulation of excessive inflammation in the overall immune system. Macrophages, a primary immune cell, and T cells, a secondary immune cell, were co-cultured in the insert wells under the same conditions, and then inflammation was artificially induced. The changes in inflammatory activity following PMF stimulation were measured by pH and IL-6 concentration. After inflammation induction, both cells became more acidic and increased IL-6 expression, but after PMF stimulation, we observed improved acidification of macrophages and T cells and decreased IL-6 expression. Our results showed that infected macrophages activated T cells and that the recovery of excessive inflammatory response regulation after PMF stimulation proceeded more rapidly in macrophages. Therefore, this study suggests that PMF has a positive anti-inflammatory effect on the overall immune system and thus has the potential to be used as a non-invasive therapy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2023

Normal activation of platelets and their aggregation are crucial during hemostasis process. It appears excessive or abnormal aggregation of platelets may bring about cardiovascular diseases like stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. For this reason, finding a substance that can regulate platelet aggregation or suppress aggregation will aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. This study examined the effect of artemisinin on regulation of U46619-induced platelet aggregation, granule secretion. In addition, the effects of artemisinin on phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway involved in platelet aggregation was studied. As a result, artemisinin significantly downregulated of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway. In addition, artemisinin significantly reduced granule secretion, and platelet aggregation was inhibited by artemisinin. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin is an anti-platelet substance that regulates PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway and is valuable as a therapeutic and preventive agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.3486-3491
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• 2011

This study aims to identify the effect of neurofeedback training by observing the pre and post brainwave measurement results of about 60(experimental group 30, control group 30) subjects who have shown self directed learning ability. The study took place at neuro-training center B, in between the months of Jan. 2010 and Jul. 2010. As the brainwaves are adjusted by timeseries linear analysis. The result confirmed the differences of both self regulation quotient, training protocol, and questionnaire. The result of the study suggest neurofeedback technique's possibility in positively affecting the subjects' self directed learning ability.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2008

Diethylstilbestrol (DESB) is a synthetic estrogen not only that routinely prescribed, but also that known to be a teratogen. In this study, we found a novel pharmacological feature that DESB is able to positively modulate CD29 $({\beta}1-integrin)$ function. Thus, DESB up-regulated homotypic cell-cell adhesion of monocytic U937 cells mediated by CD29. However, DESB did not increase the surface level of CD29 and its binding activity to ligand (fibronectin), according to flow cytometric analysis and cell-fibronectin adhesion assay. Instead, the DESB-mediated up-regulation of cell-cell adhesion was blocked by several signaling enzyme inhibitors. Treatment of U0126 [an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor], SB20358 (a p38 inhibitor) or Rp-8-pCPT-cGMP (a protein kinase G inhibitor) clearly inhibited DESB-mediated up-regulation of cell-cell adhesion induced by CD29. However, estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 failed to abrogate DESB effect. Therefore, our data suggest that DESB may up-regulate CD29-mediated cell-cell adhesion via modulating intracellular signaling enzymes such as ERK, PKG, and p38, independent of estrogen receptor function.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 2016

This study initiates from the question of whether current advertising regulations are appropriate to be applied to the market. It confirms the relationship between misleading online advertisements of weight-loss food and consumer damages. This study argues that it is necessary to enforce monitoring and regulating (strengthening monitoring) for situations where misleading advertisements are exposed in the market with subsequent consumer damages. However, deregulation is needed for advertisements exposed in the name of misleading advertisements but with no consumer damages. In conclusion, the regulations of current weight loss foods are properly established $vis-{\grave{a}}-vis$ the market situation. However, misleading advertisements are prevalent for all regulated types: Type I (product quality and effect), Type II (endorsement and warranty), Type III (ways to use and safety), Type IV (comparison and superiority), and Type V (company information). Promotion targeting businesses, market monitoring and control are necessary to ensure that advertising regulations (which have existed only as an institution) can be appropriately applied. It is also confirmed that 'comparison advertising' (applicable to Type IV where consumer damages were not shown compared to other regulations) does not have an actual effect as a consumer protection regulation that should be considered in regulation revisions. Consumers also did not recognize Type III and V in the purchasing stage while consumer damages were demonstrated; consequently, this implies that consumers need to check and become attentive to these types.