• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.364-369
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inflammation is associated with various types of acute and chronic alcohol liver diseases. In this study, we examined whether umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin, UF) ameliorates chronic alcohol-induced liver damage by modulating inflammatory response and the antioxidant system. METHODS: Rats were fed a Liber-Decarli liquid diet containing 5% alcohol with or without UF (0.05 g/L) for 8 weeks, while normal rats received an isocaloric carbohydrate liquid diet. RESULTS: Chronic alcohol intake significantly increased serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin 6 levels and decreased interleukin 10 level; however, UF supplementation reversed the cytokines related to liver damage. UF significantly suppressed hepatic lipopolysaccharide binding protein, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B, and TNF-${\alpha}$ gene expression increases in response to chronic alcohol intake. Masson's trichrome staining revealed that UF improved mild hepatic fibrosis caused by alcohol, and UF also significantly increased the mRNA expressions and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver, and thus, decreased lipid peroxide and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that UF protects against alcohol-induced liver damage by inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway and activating the antioxidant system.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.133-140
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• 2009

Caveolin may be a molecular target for modulation of aging process in cochlear hair cells and have association with oxotoxicity. First we investigated the basal expression of caveolin-1, caveolin-2, caveolin-3, nitric oxide synthase, and superoxide dismutase in UB/OC-1 cochlear hair cell line. By using a RNA interference technique, we investigated whether down-regulation of caveolin influenced telomerase activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cochlear hair cells. In addition, cisplatin and gentamycin, known ototoxic drugs, were administered to the cochlear cells to determine their impact on caveolin expression. Further attempts at elucidating cellular aging mechanism with caveolin and ototoxic drugs were carried out. The main discoveries were the presence of caveolin-1 in UB/OC-1 cells and that down-regulation of caveolin-1 reduced protein kinase A activity. Telomerase was activated by caveolin down-regulation and caveolin down-regulation inhibited oxidative stress at the mitochondrial level. When cisplatin and gentamycin were administered to the cochlear hair cells during a caveolin expression state, a decrease in telomerase activity and increase ROS activity was observed. Caveolin-1 may modulate the senescent mechanisms in cochlear cells. An increase in caveolin-1 levels can lead to ROS production in the mitochondria which may cause ototoxicity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.127-134
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• 1997

콘택트렌즈 보존 용기 유래 가시아메바 KA/LS주의 세포질 내에 존재하는 bacterial endosymbiont(내공생세균)를 투과전자현미경으로 관찰하여 확인하였다. 숙주인 가시아메바 KA/LS주는 형태학적으로 제2군에 속하였고 rDNA PCR-RFLP 결과 A. lugdunensis로 동정되었다. 미토콘드리아 DNA RFLP와 동위효소 분석상 이 충주는 국내 콘택트렌즈 보존용기에서 가장 흔히 분리되는 type인 KA/L1주, 국내 임상 분리주 중 하나인 KA/E2주, 내공생세균을 가지는 것으로 보고된 병원 냉각수 유래 KA/W4주 및 L3a주와 동일하거나 매우 유사한 성적을 보였다. 내 공생세균은 약 $1.38{\;}{\times}{\;}0.50{\;}{\mu\textrm{m}}$의 크기였고, 아메바 세포질 내에 불규칙하게 분포하고 있었으며 그 표면에 아메바의 ribosome이 부착되어 있었다. 내공생세균을 둘러싼 lacunae나 막과 같은 구조는 관찰되지 않았다. Legionoun 특이 primer를 이용한 효소중합반응(PCR)에서 내공생세균의 염색체 DNA는 증폭되지 않았다 A. lugdunensis의 우리말 이름을 담수가시아메바로 제안한다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.271-276
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• 1997

메타고니무스속 흡충의 형태학적인 차이점은 잘 알려져 있으나 이러한 미세한 형태학적 차이로 종을 분류할 수 있을 지에 대해서는 의문시되어 왔다. 이 연구는 비교적 유전자 염기서열이 잘 보존되어 있 어 종간 또는 strain간의 차이를 밝힐 수 있는 리보솜리보핵산 유전자 중 ITSI 유전자와 사립체 COI 유전자를 중합효소반응으로 증폭시킨 후 제한효소로 소화시켜 나타나는 밴드의 차이를 관찰하였다 요 코가와흡충 (M. yokogawai)의 피 낭유충은 삼척산 은어에서 , 미야타흡충 (Metagonim Miyata type) 은 충주산 피라미에서, 타카하시홉충 (M. tnkqhqsrii)은 충주산 붕어에서 분리하여 사용하였다. 세 종류 충체에서 얻은 ml 유전자 증폭산물은 제한효소 Rsc I, Ak I 및 Msp I에 의해 서로 다른 크기의 밴드 로 소화되었다. 세 종류 충체의 사립체 COI 유전자 증폭산물도 Rsc I과 AIu I에 의해 서로 다른 양상으로 잘라졌다. 추정 유전자 차이 (estimated genetic divergence)는 미야타홉충과 요코가와흡충이 0.034880, 요코가와흡충과 타카하시홉충이 0.018179, 미야타흡충과 타카하시흡충이 0.028098 이었다. 이 결과로 보면 미야타흡충은 별개의 종으로 볼 수 있으며,다른 충체보다 이른 시기에 진화하였음 을 알 수 있다.

• 수산해양기술연구
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.527-534
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• 2015

The twenty six specimens of leptocephali (15.8-32.6 mm TL) of the family Congridae, collected from southeastern waters offshore of Jeju Island during August 2014, and were identified by means of morphology and genetics. Those specimens were identified as belonging to the family Congridae based on various combinations of morphological characters. An analysis of the partial 12S rRNA sequences (886 base pairs) of mitochondrial DNA showed that our specimens must be Gnathophis nystromi, because their sequences were concordant with those of G. nystromi adult (genetic distance= 0.001), furthermore their total myomeres being consistent with those of G. nystromi adult. Catch rates of G. nystromi leptocephali were higher in the offshore regions than coastal regions of Jeju Island. The smallest leptocephali (< 20 mm TL) were collected offshore from Jeju Island. We hypothesize that one of the spawning grounds of G. nystromi is located offshore in the Jeju Island. In conclusion, the hatched preleptocephali of G. nystromi might have been transported from offshore near Jeju Island to the Korea Strait by the Kuroshio Current and Tsushima Warm Current.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.3-11
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• 2011

Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and c-Met play an important role in the control of tumor growth and invasion, and they are known to be good prognostic indicators of patient outcome. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to have chemopreventive and therapeutic properties by modulating multiple signal pathways regarding the control of proliferation and invasion of cells. In this study, we evaluated the role of c-Met in EGCG-induced inhibition of invasion and apoptosis in an oral cancer cell line. In KB cells where c-Met was knocked down with siRNA, we performed invasion assay and FACS with Annexin V-FITC/PT staining. In addition, we checked the change of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) and the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS). EGCG-induced inhibition of invasiveness was significantly decreased after the knock-down of c-Met. EGCG-induced apoptosis, MMP change and ROS generation was also reduced in c-Met knock-ed-down KB cells. These results suggest that c-Met is involved in EGCG-induced apoptosis and inhibition of invasiveness of oral cancer cell line.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.888-894
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• 2014

Seventeen specimens of leptocephali [9.8-44.5 mm total length (TL)], of the family Ophichthidae, were collected from southeastern waters off Jeju Island and the Korea-Japan intermediate zone, and identified by means of morphology and genetics. These specimens were identified as belonging to the subfamily Ophichthinae based on various combinations of morphological characters: 211-215 total myomeres; 7 gut swellings; 2 liver lobes connected with the gall bladder on the second lobe; 6-7 postanal pigments present from anus to caudal margin. An analysis of the partial 12S rRNA sequences (849 base pairs) of mitochondrial DNA showed that our specimens must be Ophisurus macrorhynchos because their sequences were concordant with those of the adult O. macrorhynchos (genetic distance = 0.000). Furthermore, their total myomeres were consistent with those of the O. macrorhynchos adult. This is the first time that the morphological characteristics of O. macrorhynchos leptocephali have been described for Korean waters, and we suggest diagnostic characteristics for the genus Ophisurus leptocephali. We hypothesize that one of the spawning grounds of O. macrorhynchos is located in the southeastern part of Jeju Island.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.37-46
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• 2020

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.266-279
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• 2016

The mechanism by which 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) bypasses cellular senescence was investigated using human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cell replicative senescence as a model. Upon TPA treatment, protein kinase C (PKC) ${\alpha}$ and $PKC{\beta}1$ exerted differential effects on the nuclear translocation of cytoplasmic pErk1/2, a protein which maintains senescence. $PKC{\alpha}$ accompanied pErk1/2 to the nucleus after freeing it from $PEA-15pS^{104}$ via $PKC{\beta}1$ and then was rapidly ubiquitinated and degraded within the nucleus. Mitogen-activated protein kinase docking motif and kinase activity of $PKC{\alpha}$ were both required for pErk1/2 transport to the nucleus. Repetitive exposure of mouse skin to TPA downregulated $PKC{\alpha}$ expression and increased epidermal and hair follicle cell proliferation. Thus, $PKC{\alpha}$ downregulation is accompanied by in vivo cell proliferation, as evidenced in 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-TPA-mediated carcinogenesis. The ability of TPA to reverse senescence was further demonstrated in old HDF cells using RNA-sequencing analyses in which TPA-induced nuclear $PKC{\alpha}$ degradation freed nuclear pErk1/2 to induce cell proliferation and facilitated the recovery of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Our data indicate that TPA-induced senescence reversal and carcinogenesis promotion share the same molecular pathway. Loss of $PKC{\alpha}$ expression following TPA treatment reduces pErk1/2-activated SP1 biding to the $p21^{WAF1}$ gene promoter, thus preventing senescence onset and overcoming G1/S cell cycle arrest in senescent cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권8호
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• pp.511-515
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• 2009

Downstream of Bid (DOBI) known as Pus10, has been identified as a modulator of TRAIL-induced cell death using RNAi library screening. The crystal structure of DOBI has revealed that it is a crescent-shaped protein containing the pseudouridine synthase catalytic domain and a THUMP-containing domain. Here, we demonstrated that DOBI is expressed in various tissues such as heart and lung, and is also expressed in various tumor cells such as HeLa and A549. Although ectopic expression of DOBI does not promote TRAIL death signaling in HeLa cells, knock-down of DOBI expression using shRNA inhibited TRAIL death signaling. DOBI is cleaved into a 54 kD cleaved DOBI during cell death, and the recombinant DOBI protein can be directly cleaved by caspases-3, or -8 in vitro. Together, these data suggest that the cleaved DOBI may acquire a new function, possibly by cooperating with tBid in the mitochondrial event of cell death caused by TRAIL.