• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.607-614
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• 2015

Cancers are the largest cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world. Cordycepin, an adenosine analog, is a major functional component of the Cordyceps species, which has been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine. Over the last decade, this compound has been reported to possess many pharmacological properties, such as an ability to enhance immune function, as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer effects. Recently, numerous studies have reported interesting properties of cordycepin as a chemopreventive agent as well. There is an accumulating body of experimental evidences suggesting that cordycepin impedes cancer progression by promoting apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, modulating intracellular signaling pathways, and inhibiting invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. In many cancer cell lines, cordycepin inhibits growth and cell cycle progression by inducing arrest of the G2/M phase, resulting from the inhibition of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. To induce apoptosis, cordycepin activates the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which promotes reactive oxygen species generation and the downstream activation of kinase cascades. Cordycepin also can activate alternative pathways to cell death such autophagy. In addition, cordycepin can inhibit the pro-metastatic processes of cancer cell detachment, migration, and invasion through a variety of mechanisms, including the nuclear factor-kappa B and activated protein-1 signaling pathways. In this review, we summarized the variety of action mechanisms by which cordycepin may mediate chemopreventive effects on cancer and discussed the potential of this natural product as a promising therapeutic inhibitor of cancer development.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2007

Current study was conducted to identify the effects of dietary supplementation of Aspergillus oryzae ferments (AOF) cultured under normal (NAOF) or nitrogen-deficient (NMAOF) environment on feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility for broiler chicks. Fecal microbes and ammonia gas production were also determined. A total of 168 male Avian chicks, 2-wk-old, were randomly assigned into 56 cages, three chicks per cage. There were seven treatments (Control, NAOF 0.05, 0.1, 0.5%, NMAOF 0.05, 0.1, 0.5%), with 8 replicates (cages) per treatment. There was no significant difference in nutrient digestibility between two AOF groups, but the digestibility was greatly(p<0.05) improved by AOF supplementation. Total microbial account significantly (p<0.05) differed between the treatment groups with the highest number for NNAOF, followed by NAOF and control. In the case of Escherichia coli and Salmonella, the AOF supplementation significantly (p<0.05) reduced their numbers in feces, with a particular reduction in NNAOF group. Levels of ammonia gas generation were in order of control>NAOP>NNAOP. The current data implied that AOF supplementation, particularly grown under nitrogen-deficient environment, would be a feasible way to improve feed efficiency for broiler production, as well as to reduce environmental cost. However, further studies remain for industrial application.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.445-454
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• 2019

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanoparticles have emerged as novel nanomaterials for bio-imaging applications due to its unique layered structure, physicochemical properties, and good biocompatibility. Bio-imaging is one of the most important fields for medical applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics of various diseases. Enhanced diagnostic techniques are needed to realize new paradigm for next-generation personalized medicine through nanoscale materials. When nanotechnology is introduced into bio-imaging system, nanoparticle probes can endow imaging techniques with enhanced ability to obtain information about biological system at the molecular level. In this review, we summarize structural features of LDH nanoparticles with current issues of bio-imaging system. LDH nanoparticle probes are also discussed through in vitro as well as in vivo studies in various bio-imaging techniques including fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed X-ray tomography (CT), which will have the potential in the development of the advanced nanoparticles with high sensitivity and selectivity.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.413-416
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• 2019

Alstroemeria (Alstroemeriaceae) is one of the most important cut flowers in international market. Especially, characteristics like long vase-life, various colors, tolerance to low temperature and a low energy requirement during cultivation have stimulated this success. Because of its characteristics such as low multiplication rates, time-consuming process and high risk of carrying viral disease, in vitro propagation techniques based on rhizome meristems culture have been developing nowadays. The callus induction has various cultivation sites compared with the direct plant generation method, and if the callus is maintained well, the plant differentiation can be performed simultaneously while maintaining the callus, so that it can be used for mass proliferation. In this study, we tested various hormones and cultivars for efficient callus induction. As a result of culturing between the nodes and the internodes, the callus began to be formed after 8 weeks, and the calli incidence in the nodes was higher than that between the internodes. Also, in the comparison of 2,4-D and picloram, the callus incidence rate was up to 2 times higher in the medium treated with 2,4-D. Using these results, it is thought that it will help establish the system of mass propagation system of Alstroemeria and cultivate new varieties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1662-1667
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• 2011

Anthocyanins belong to a group of flavonoid compounds and are well known for their various health beneficial effects, which include antioxidative activities. Among them, the major anthocyanins isolated from seed coat of black soybean (Glycine max L.) were previously characterized as glycosides containing glucopyranose. Asthma is an allergic disease that is strongly associated with various immune cells, including basophils and mast cells. Eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells play important roles in allergic asthma through the release of inflammatory mediators such as asthma-specific T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines and subsequent amplification of asthma symptoms via degranulation. Rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells are the most common in vitro models for evaluating allergic reactions. In this study, we examined the effects of anthocyanin from seed coat of black soybean on antigen-stimulated degranulation and Th2 cytokine production in RBL-2H3 cells. Cell degranulation was evaluated by measuring the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase. ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release and Th2 cytokine production in RBL-2H3 cells was much higher upon stimulation with IgE-antigen complex than those in untreated control cells. Anthocyanins significantly suppressed IgE-antigen complex-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and inhibited IgE-antigen complex-mediated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) production in RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that anthocyanins from seed coat of black soybean effectively inhibit allergic reactions and may have beneficial effects against allergic asthma.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.701-713
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of the Nd:YAG lased root surface followed by root planing and/or tetracyline-HCI(T.C.-HCI) conditioning. $30,4mm{\times}4mm$ root segments were obtained from unerupted third molars and 21, periodontally involved root segments. The treatment groups were as follows : (1) healthy root cementum surface groups : 1) control(non-treated group), 2) lased only, 3) lased/root planed, and 4) lased/T.C.-HCI. (2) diseased root cementum surface groups : 1) control(root planed only), 2) lased/root planed, and 3) lased/root planed/T.C.-HCI. The specimens were treated with a Nd:YAG laser using a $320{\mu}m$ noncontact optic fiber handpiece with an energy setting of 1.5W($114.6J/cm^2$), 2.0W($152.9J/cm^2$), 5.0W($382J/cm^2$) for one minute. The fiber was held perpendicular to the petri dish(NUNC) 2cm apart in an attempt to expose the entire root segments equally. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured from explants of normal interdental gingival tissue obtained during third morlar extraction. The attachment assay was performed with third-generation fibroblasts. The numbers of gingival fibroblasts attached to the root surface were counted on each specimen under the light microscope, and were statistically analyzed by the oneway ANOVA followed by Tukey's test in SPSS/PC+programs. The results were as follows : 1) In healthy root cementum surfaces, lased/root planed groups exhibited a significantly increased fibroblast attachment compared to controls, lased only, and lased/T.C.-HCI groups(p<0.05), 2) In diseased root cementum surfaces, laser treatment followed by root planing and/or T.C.HCl groups exhibited a increased tendency of fibroblast attachment compared to root planed only group. The results suggest that laser treatment followed by root planing and/or T.C.-HCl would appear necessary so as to render the root surface biocompatible.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 2012

Triploids are a useful tool for biomass production and molecular breeding of trees with a long life span. Triploids of the poplar 'Hyunsasi' (Populus alba ${\times}$ P. glandulosa) have been developed by crossing between female diploids and a male tetraploid. The tetraploid was developed around the 1970s at Korea Forest Research Institute by colchicine-induced chromosome doubling. Seedlings of the $F_1$ generation were analyzed using flow cytometry to verify their ploidy status. The mean relative fluorescence index of 3 F1 poplars, labeled as Line- 1, Line-17, Line-18, were approximately 1.5 times higher than those of diploid poplars, and the results clearly indicated that they were triploids. The phenotype of the F1 poplars included larger leaves and thicker stem than diploids, and abnormal leaf morphology, especially in the triploid 'Line-18'. Three triploid lines developed roots more slowly and had less roots than diploid. However, 3 poplar cytotypes (2x, Line-1, Line-17) rooted within 10 days on MS medium. In contrast, compared with the 3 cytotypes, the Line-18 showed about 80% and 70% in the rooting rate and the number of roots. The triploid poplars could be directly utilized for biomass production and with their sterility, they could serve as basic material for genetic transformation. In addition, flow cytometric analysis proved to be an effective and reliable method for screening forest trees for their ploidy level.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.365-374
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• 2004

Inhalation toxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity tests were performed using a smoke generation system to investigate the safety of Herbrette, a tobacco substitute made with the leaves of Perilla frutescens. ICR mice were exposed to nicotine-free Herbrette smoke with concentrations of 0 (control), 4.08 $\pm$ 1.32 mg/$m^3$ (low dose), 7.72 $\pm$ 2.14 mg/$m^3$ (medium dose) and 12.83 $\pm$ 1.69 mg/$m^3$ (high dose) total particulate matters (TPM) for 4 weeks. When compared to the control group, the body weights, organ weights in the exposed groups did not show any significant differences. However, certain change of several serum chemical data and biochemical parameters were observed, however, the changes were within normal physiological ranges. Moreover, no changes in organ weight, and no gross/microscopic changes were observed between the exposed and control groups. Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation, in vivo chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays revealed that Herbrette did not induce mutagenicity. Upon evaluation of peripheral cellular immunity of mice through in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay, no significant difference was observed in mean stimulation index between the exposed and control groups. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that Herbrette may not cause toxicity on mice under current condition.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.391-400
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• 2018

Background: Atractylodes radix is a well-known medicinal crop having many physiological effects. This study was conducted to select useful Atractylodes japonica ${\times}$ Atractylodes macrocephala (AJM) cultivars by comparing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Methods and Results: Seven extracts from AJM cultivars were used to treat lipopolysacchride (LPS)-treated BV2 cells, and the effects on cell viability and inhibition on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed. In vitro scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxynitrite ($NOO^-$) radicals were also investigated. Contents of total phenol, atractylenolide I, and atractylenolide III in the AJM extracts were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or spectrophotometry. The experiments show that none of the seven extracts was cytotoxic above 89.2% at $20-250{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Extracts of Gowon, Dawon, Sangchul, and Huchul inhibited ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner, and Sangchul extract showed the highest inhibition on ROS production. All the AJM extracts showed effective inhibitory activity after on NO release in the LPS-treated BV2 cells, and Sangchul extract showed the highest activity. Sangchul extract had the most potent scavenging activities for $NOO^-$ and had some DPPH radical scavenging effect. Sangchul extract also had the highest content at total phenol and atractylenolide I content. Atractylenolide III was not detected in the AJM extracts. Conclusions: The results suggested that Sangchul was the most useful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory resource among the AJM cultivars.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2018

Rubiae radix is root of Runia akane Nakai, it has been used to hemostasis and blood stasis in Korean and China. This study investigated that anti-oxidant and anti-colorectal cancer effect of ERA (ethanol extract of Rubiae radix) and WRA (water extract of Rubiae radix) using RAW 264.7 (murine macrophage from blood) and HCT-116 cells (human colorectal cancer cell line). ERA contained polyphenol ($45.77{\pm}2.03mg/g$) and flavonoid ($22.82{\pm}1.33mg/g$). $500{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation was diminished by $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ ERA treatment in RAW 264.7 cells, but not WRA (125, 250, and $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Moreover, caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation increased by $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ ERA treatment during apoptotic cell death in HCT-116. Results demonstrated that anti-cancer effect of ERA against human colorectal cancer cells is mediated apoptotic cell death and DNA fragmentation through caspase-3 activation. However, further study is required to what active ingredient of ERA are important for anti-oxidant and anti-colorectal cancer effect in vivo.