• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

Specific protocols to increase the differentiation of neuronal cells from embryonic stem (ES) cells have been well established, such as retinoic acid induction and lineage selection of neuronal cells. For the neuropathological studies, ES-derived neurons (ES neurons) must show normal physiological characteristics related to cell death and survival and should be maintained in vitro for a sufficient time to show insults-specific cell death without spontaneous death. When mouse ES cells were plated onto astrocytes monolayer after retinoic acid induction, most ES cells differentiated into neuronal cells, which were confirmed by the presence of specific neuronal markers, and the cultures were viable for at least four weeks. When these cultures were examined for vulnerability to glutamate excitotoxicity, ES neurons were vulnerable to excitotoxic insults mediated by agonist-specific receptors. The vulnerability to excitotoxic death increased with developmental age of ES neurons in vitro. Specific receptors for Neurotrophin and GDNF family ligands were present in ES neurons. GDNF and NT-3 could modulate the survival and excitotoxic vulnerability of ES neurons. The vulnerability and resistance to toxic insults, which are essential requirements of model culture systems for neuropathological studies, make ES neurons to a useful model culture system. Especially ES cell are highly amenable to genetic modification unlikely to primary neuronal cells, which will give us a chance to answer more complicated neurophysiological questions. Recently there was an outstanding attempt to explore the cellular toxicity using human ES cells (Schrattenholz & Klemm, 2007) and it suggested that ES cells could be a new model system for neurophysiological studies soon and go further a large-scale screening system for pharmacological compounds in the future.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.18-28
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• 1991

The optimal pH of the extraction buffer was 7.5 considiering AChE stability and its buffer capacity when AChE was isolated and extracted from the housefly(Musca domesitca L.)and three other insect species with 0.01 M sodium phosphate buffer. Also, the optimal pH of the reaction buffer was 7.5 considering enzyme activity and its buffer capacity when AChE activity was measured with the substrate in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer. The Potter Elvehjem type homogenizer with Teflon pestle was used to homgenize the tissues. When preparing a AChE suspension by centrifuging the homogenate, 700 g supernatant of adult head for the housefly, 700 g supernatnat of 5th instar nymphal whole body for the brown planthopper, lipid-eliminated 10,000 g supernatant of 5th instar larval whole body for the diamondback moth, and 700 g supernatant of 4th instar larval head for the tobacco cutworm were considered satisfactory as enzyme sources in view of mass preparation, extraction efficiency and stability of enzyme activity during evaluation. When AChE suspensions of 4 insect species were stored at $-18^{\circ}C$, more than 90% of activity was maintained up to 3 weeks. Km values of AChEs of the housefly, the brown planthopper, and the diamondback moth were 0.042, 0.037 and 0.043 mM, respectively and AChE-specific substrate inhibition was observed at high concentration. Km value of the tobacco cutworm ChE was 1.15 mM and BuChE characteristics was observed, though further study is needed. The optimal substrate concentration for the AChE inhibition tests was 0.5 mM for the housfly, the brown planthopper, and the diamondback moth and 12 mM for the tobacco cutworm.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2009

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were well known to enhance the intestinal health of human. For the development of pharmaceutical LAB. it was screened that the LAB with activity lowering the cholesterol in vitro and evaluated the hypocholestrolemic effect of live and heat-killed (HK) LAB on rats. The selected Lactobacillus plantarum CBT 1209 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CBT 1702 had the deconjugation of bile salts and assimilation of cholesterol micelles activities from laboratory media, The mixture of 1702 and 1209 strains was administrated to the rats with high cholesterol diet. The experiment performed by 4 groups which were control, HCD, LLAB, HKLAB groups. The hypocholesterolemic effect of LAB (strains 1702, 1209) at blood level, the phenomena of AI decreasing through LDL-cholesterol dwindling, was assessed. This effect of 1702 and 1209 was enhanced when it comes to be the HKLAB more the live-LAB, This data means that the Lactobacillus rhamnosus CBT 1702 and Lactobacillus plantarum CBT 1209 were very useful functional ingredient for hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.272-276
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• 2008

Purification and some properties of Xylogone sphaerospora ${\beta}$-mannanase were reprevious previous paper. Locust bean gum galactomannan was hydrolyzed by the purified ${\beta}$-mannanase, and then the hydrolysates was separated by activated carbon column chromatography. The main hydrolysates were composed of D.P. (Degree of Polymerization) 4 and 6 galactosyl mannooligosaccharides. For elucidate the structure of D.P 4 and 6 galactosyl mannooligosaccharides, sequential enzymatic action was performed. D.P 4 and 6 were identified as ${Gal^2}{Man_3}\;(6^2-mono-O-{\alpha}-D-galactopyranosyl-4-O-{\beta}-D-mannotriose)$ and ${Gal^2}{Man_5}\;(6^2-mono-O-{\alpha}-D-galacto- pyranosyl-4-O-{\beta}-D-mannopentaose)$. To investigate the effects of locust bean gum galactosyl mannooligosaccharides on in vitro growth of Bifidobacterium longum, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. adolescentis, B. animalis, B. auglutum and B. breve. Bifidobacterium spp. were cultivated individually on the modified-MRS medium containing carbon source such as D.P. 4 and D.P. 6 galactosyl mannooligosaccharides, respectively. B. longum and B. bifidum grew up to-fold and 6.6-fold more effectively by the treatment of D.P. 6 galactosyl mannooligosaccharides, compared to those of standard MRS medium. Especially, D.P. 6 was more effective than D.P. 4 galactosyl mannooligosaccharide on the growth of Bifidobacterium spp.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.363-368
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• 2008

The in vitro thrombin inhibitory activities of 304 crude extracts from 76 kinds of korean wild insects were evaluated. Measurement of thrombin time showed that the DMSO extracts of Acrida cinerea cinerea (Thunberg), Anax parthenope julius Brauer, Eurydema rugosa Motschulsky, and Stethophyma magister (Rehn) and the water extracts of Dolycoris baccarum Linne, Lixus divaricatus Motschulsky, Metrioptera bonneti, Moechotypa diphysis (Pascoe), Nicrophorus concolor sp., and Tomapoderus ruficollis (Fabricius) had strong thrombin inhibitory activity. No prominent changes of activated partial thromboplastin time by treatment of the selected extracts suggested direct inhibition of thrombin activity by the insect extracts. DPPH scavenging activity of selected extracts showed that the extract of A. cinerea cinerea (Thunberg), D. baccarum Linne, L. divaricatus Motschulsky and N. concolor sp. has good antioxidant activity as well as antithombin activity. Our results suggested that some of korean wild insects could be developed as a natural source of antithrombosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.131-144
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study is to observe the effect of Herbal-acupuncture(HA) with Luffae Fructus Retinervus Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(LFR-HAS) at ST36(Joksamni) on Collagen Ⅱ -induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods : DBA1/J mice were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen(CⅡ) on days 0 and 21 to induce an arthritis. The mice were divided into 5 groups. They were Normal group(wild type), Control group(CIA), Saline group(CIA +saline injection), Needle Prick group(CIA +single Prick with an injection needle) and LFR-HA group(CIA +LFR-HA treatment). The saline injection, needle prick and LFR-HA were made on the right ST36(Joksamni) of mice for 5 weeks, 3 times a week beginning 4 weeks after the booster immunization. Results : 1. The highest synovial rate of lung fibroblasts was measured in the 1% LFR-HAS. 2. TNF-${\alpha}$ expression of survival cells from CIA mouse joint was significantly reduced in the 1% LFR-HAS. 3. The incidence of arthritis and the spleen weight of CIA mouse were significantly reduced by the Luffae Fructus Retinervus Herbal-Acupuncture (LFR-HA) at ST36. 4. The concentrations of IL-6, INF-${\alpha}$, INF-${\alpha}$, IgG, IgM, and anti-collagen Ⅱ in the CIA mouse serum were significantly reduced by the LFR-HA at ST36. 5. The histological examination showed that, in the LFR-HA group, the cartilage destruction and the synoviocyte proliferation in the CIA mouse joint were not significant compared to the control group, and the collagen fiber was similarly expressed as the normal group. 6. In the LFR-HA group, the ratio of CD3e+ to CD19+ cell, and the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ cell in the lymph node were similarly maintained as those of the normal group. 7. CD69+/CD3e+ and CD11a+/CD19+ cells in the CIA mouse lymph node were significantly reduced by the LFR-HA at ST36. 8. CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in the CIA mouse joint were significantly reduced by the LFR-HA at ST36. Conclusions : These results indicate that Luffae Fructus Retinervus Herbal-Acupuncture (LFR-HA) at ST36 may regulate the immune system and have a therapeutic effect on Collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in mice.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.14-34
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cytotoxicity, skin regeneration, anti-wrinkle, whitening and skin moisturizing of Oncheongeum (OCE).Methods: The cytotoxicity of OCE lyophilized aqueous extracts (yield=13.82%) was observed against human normal fibroblast cells and B16/F10 murine melanoma cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, and skin regeneration and anti-wrinkle effects were also evaluated through the assay of collagen type I synthesis compared to the transformation of the growth factor (TGF)-β1, hyaluronidase, collagenase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 inhibitory assays compared to oleanolic acid (OA), and elastase inhibitory effects compared to phosphoramidon disodium salt (PP). In addition, OCE’s whitening effects were measured by a tyrosinase inhibitory assay and melanin formation test in B16/F10 murine melanoma cells compared to arbutin, and skin moisturizing effects were observed through a mouse skin water content test, respectively. Results: No OCE treatment-related cytotoxic effects appeared on human normal fibroblasts and B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. OCE concentration-dependently increased the collagen Type I synthesis on human normal fibroblast cells, and also effectively inhibited hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase and MMP-1 activities. In addition, OCE inhibited melanin production of B16/F10 murine melanoma cells and activity of tyrosinase. And significant and dose-dependent increases of skin water content were detected in OCE-treated mouse skin compared to vehicle control skins. Conclusions: OCE showed favorable and sufficient effects in skin regeneration, anti-wrinkle, whitening and skin moisturizing in this experiment. But more detail mechanisms and studies on the skin protective efficiency of in vivo are needed with the screening of active biological compounds in individual OCE herbs.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.49-70
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• 2017

Objectives: The present study is to observe the skin-regeneration, anti-wrinkle, whitening and skin moisturizing effects of Cheongsangbangpung-tang (CSBPT) with cytotoxicity. Methods: In the present study, cytotoxicity of CSBPT lyophilized aqueous extracts (yield=18.71%) was experimented against human normal fibroblast cells and B16F10 murine melanoma cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, and skin regeneration and anti-wrinkle effects were also showed through the assay of collagen type I synthesis by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit as comparing with transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$, hyaluronidase, collagenase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 inhibitory assays as comparing with oleanolic acid (OA), and elastase inhibitory effects as comparing with phosphoramidon disodium salt (PP). In addition, whitening effects of CSBPT were observed by tyrosinase inhibitory assay and melanin formation test in B16/F10 melanoma cells as comparing with arbutin, and skin moisturizing effects were measured through mouse skin water contents test, respectively. Results: No CSBPT treatment related cytotoxic effects were demonstrated against human normal fibroblast cells and B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. CSBPT concentration-dependent increased collagen type I synthesis at human normal fibroblast cells. It also effectively suspreessed hyaluronidase, collagenase, elastase and MMP-1 activities, which were enzymes that related to declining of ECM and formation of wrinkle. CSBPT supressed B16/F10 melanoma cells's melanin productions with tyrosinase activity, which was an enzyme connected with melanin formation, and dose-dependent and significant increases of skin water contents were detected in CSBPT treated mouse skin as compared with vehicle control skins. Conclusions: CSBPT showed favorable and enough skin regeneration, anti-wrinkle, whitening and skin moisturizing effects at least in a condition of this experiment. However, more detail mechanism and in vivo skin protective efficacy studies should be conducted in future with the screening of the biological active compounds in individual herbs of Cheongsangbangpung-tang.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.363-369
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• 2014

Synthetic cannabinoids (CBs) such as the JWH series have caused social problems concerning their abuse liability. Because the JWH series produces euphoric and hallucinogenic effects, they have been distributed illegally under street names such as "Spice" and "Smoke". Many countries including Korea have started to schedule some of the JWH series compounds as controlled substances, but there are a number of JWH series chemicals that remain uncontrolled by law. In this study, three synthetic CBs with different binding affinities to the $CB_1$ receptor (JWH-073, 081, and 210) and ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (${\Delta}^9$-THC) were evaluated for their potential for psychological dependence. The conditioned place preference test (unbiased method) and self-administration test (fixed ratio of 1) using rodents were conducted. $K_i$ values of the three synthetic cannabinoids were calculated as supplementary data using a receptor binding assay and overexpressed $CB_1$ protein membranes to compare dependence potential with $CB_1$ receptor binding affinity. All mice administered JWH-073, 081, or 210 showed significantly increased time spent at unpreferred space in a dose-dependence manner in the conditioned place preference test. In contrast, all tested substances except ${\Delta}^9$-THC showed aversion phenomenon at high doses in the conditioned place preference test. The order of affinity to the $CB_1$ receptor in the receptor binding assay was JWH-210 > JWH-081 >> JWH-073, which was in agreement with the results from the conditioned place preference test. However, no change in self-administration was observed. These findings suggest the possibility to predict dependence potential of synthetic CBs through a receptor binding assay at the screening level.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.447-453
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• 2007

With a broad objective for the development of microbial based fertilizers, a total of 373 strains were isolated from rhizoplane and rhizosphere of pepper, tomato, lettuce, pasture, and grass. The efficacy of the isolates to augument overall plant growth was evaluated. After screening for their plant growth promotion and antagonistic properties in vitro efficient strains were further selected. The most efficient strains was characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequences and biochemical techniques and was designated as Bacillus subtilis S37-2. The strains facilitated plant growth and inhibited the plant phathogenic fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum (KACC 40037, Rhizoctonia solani (KACC 40140), and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (KACC 40457). Pot based bioassay using lettuce as test plant was conducted by inoculating suspension ($10^5$ to $10^8cells\;mL^{-1}$) of B. subtilis S37-2 to the rhizosphere of lettuce cultivated in soil pots. Compared with non-inoculated pots, marked increase in leaf (42.3%) and root mass (48.7%) was observed in the inoculation group where the 50ml of cell mixture ($8.7{\times}10^8cells\;ml^{-1}$) was applied to the rhizosphere of letuce either once or twice. Antagonistic effects of B. subtilis S37-2 strain on S. sclerotiorum (KACC 40457) were tested. All the tested lettuce plants perished after 9 days in treatment containing only S. sclerotiorum, but only 17% of lettuce was perished in the inoculation plot. B. subtilis grew well in the TSB culture medium. The isolates grew better in yeast extracts than peptone and tryptone as nitrogen source. The growth rate was 2~4 times greater at $37^{\circ}C$ as compared with $30^{\circ}C$ incubation temperature. B. subitlis S37-2 produced $0.1{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$ of IAA (indole 3-acetic acid) in the TSB medium containing L-tryptophan($20mg\;L^{-1}$) in 24 hours.