• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1651-1658
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• 2020

Since Zika virus (ZIKV) was first detected in Uganda in 1947, serious outbreaks have occurred globally in Yap Island, French Polynesia and Brazil. Even though the number of infections and spread of ZIKV have risen sharply, the pathogenesis and replication mechanisms of ZIKV have not been well studied. ZIKV, a recently highlighted Flavivirus, is a mosquito-borne emerging virus causing microcephaly and the Guillain-Barre syndrome in fetuses and adults, respectively. ZIKV polyprotein consists of three structural proteins named C, prM and E and seven nonstructural proteins named NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5 in an 11-kb single-stranded positive sense RNA genome. The function of individual ZIKV genes on the host innate immune response has barely been studied. In this study, we investigated the modulations of the NF-κB promoter activity induced by the MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway. According to our results, two nonstructural proteins, NS2A and NS4A, dramatically suppressed the NF-κB promoter activity by inhibiting signaling factors involved in the MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway. Interestingly, NS2A suppressed all components of MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway, but NS4A inhibited most signaling molecules, except IKKε and IRF3-5D. In addition, both NS2A and NS4A downregulated MDA5-induced NF-κB promoter activity in a dosedependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that NS2A and NS4A signifcantly antagonize MDA5/RIG-I-mediated NF-κB production, and these proteins seem to be controlled by different mechanisms. This study could help understand the mechanisms of how ZIKV controls innate immune responses and may also assist in the development of ZIKV-specific therapeutics.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.489-498
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• 2015

Purpose: This paper proposes S-NS diagram. S-NS diagram helps us find core factors which improve customer satisfaction. Methods: S-NS diagram draws a scatter diagram based on marks obtained from surveys consisting of several questions on satisfaction and non-satisfaction at the same time. S-NS diagram is divided into the 4 regions. We focused on region B which is High satisfaction and high non-satisfaction shown in S-NS diagram. Region B is the areas for needs to improve. Results: S-NS diagram can find few important factors which affect customer satisfaction. We improve Lecture Satisfaction using S-NS Diagram. Conclusion: S-NS diagram has been proven to be an effective method for improving customer satisfaction with a lecture satisfaction improvement example. We know S-NS diagram can use many fields including manufacture and service areas.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.206-212
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• 2002

The NS2B-NS3(pro) polyprotein segment from the dengue virus serotype 2 strain 16681 was purified from overexpressing E. coli by metal chelate affinity chromatography and gel filtration. Enzymatic activity of the refolded NS2B-NS3(pro) protease complex was determined in vitro with dansyl-labeled peptide substrates, based upon native dengue virus type 2 cleavage sites. The 12mer substrate peptides and the cleavage products could be separated by reversed-phase HPLC, and were identified by UV and fluorescence detection. All of the peptide substrates (representing the DEN polyprotein junction sequences at the NS2A/NS2B, NS2B/NS3, NS3/NS4A and NS4B/NS5 sites) were cleaved by the recombinant protease NS2B-NS3(pro). No cleavage was observed with an enzymatically inactive S135A mutant of the NS3 protein, or with a modified substrate peptide of the NS3/NS4A polyprotein site that contained a K2093A substitution. Enzymatic activity was dependent on the salt concentration. A 50% decrease of activity was observed in the presence of 0.1M sodium chloride. Our results show that the NS3 protease activity of the refolded NS2B-NS3(pro) protein can be assayed in vitro with high specificity by using cleavage-junction derived peptide substrates.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.96-107
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• 2004

1. Objectives This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gunyuljejo-tang on the $CCl_4$-induced Liver Damage in Rats. 2. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were devided into 5 experimental groups : Normal, $NS+CCl_4$(Solid extract of $CCl_4$ injection group after Normal Saline feed), $GYJJT+CCl_4$(Solid extract of $CCl_4$ injection group after Gunyuljejo-tang feed), $CCl_4+NS$(Normal Saline feed group after $CCl_4$ injection), $CCl_4+GYJJT$(Solid extract of Gunyuljejo-tang feed group after $CCl_4$ injection). Biochemical assays for serum enzyme activities such as AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Creatinine, Uric Acid, Total Protein, Albumin, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Glucose, and mRNA Revelation of Cytochrome p450 and activities such as LPO, GSH, GST, Glutathione Reductase, Glutathione Peroxidase, SOD, Catalase, Hydroxyproline, and ${\beta}$-Glucuronidase were performed. 3. Results (1) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed lower revelation of Cytochrome p450. (2) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher GSH activity than $NS+CCl_4$, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher GSH activity than $CCl_4+NS$ injection significantly. (3) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher GST activity than $NS+CCl_4$. $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher GST activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (4) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher Glutathione Peroxidase activity than $NS+CCl_4$, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher Glutathione Peroxidase activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (5) $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher SOD activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (6) $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher Catalase activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (7) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed lower Hydroxyproline than $NS+CCl_4$ significantly, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher Hydroxyproline than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. (8) $GYJJT+CCl_4$ showed higher ${\beta}$-Glucuronidase activity than $NS+CCl_4$, $CCl_4+GYJJT$ showed higher ${\beta}$-Glucuronidase activity than $CCl_4+NS$ significantly. 4. Conclusions Gunyuljejo-tang has the recovering effects on the $CCl_4$-induced Liver Damage significantly.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenosides of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) and its saponin components suppress secretion of inflammasome-mediating cytokines, whereas the nonsaponin fraction (NS) of RGE oppositely stimulates cytokine secretion. Although direct exposure of NS to macrophages in mice induces cytokine production, oral administration of NS has not been studied in inflammasome-related disease in animal models. Methods: Mice were fed RGE or NS for 7 days and then developed peritonitis. Peritoneal cytokines were measured, and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were collected to assay expression levels of a set of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in response to NS ingestion. In addition, the role of intestinal bacteria in NS-fed mice was assessed. The effect of preexposure to NS in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) on cytokine production was further confirmed. Results: NS ingestion attenuated secretion of peritoneal cytokines resulting from peritonitis. In addition, the isolated PECs from NS-fed mice presented lower TLR transcription levels than PECs from control diet-fed mice. BMDMs treated with NS showed downregulation of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, which was mediated by the $TLR4-MyD88-NF{\kappa}B$ signal pathway. BMDMs pretreated with NS produced less cytokines in response to TLR4 ligands. Conclusion: NS administration directly inhibits TLR4 expression in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, thereby reducing secretion of cytokines during peritonitis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 1999

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been known to be an enveloped virus with a positive strand RNA genome and the major agent of the vast majority of transfusion associated cases of hepatitis. For viral replication, HCV structural proteins are first processed by host cell signal peptidases and NS2/NS3 site of the nonstructural protein is cleaved by a zinc-dependent protease NS2 with N-terminal NS3. The four remaining junctions are cleaved by a separate NS3 protease. The solution conformations of NS4B/5A, NS5A/5B substrates and NS5A/5B inhibitor have been determined by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR data suggested that the both NS5A/5B substrate and inhibitor appeared to have a folded tum-like conformation not only between P1 and P6 position but also C-terminal region, whereas the NS4B/5A substrate exhibited mostly extended conformation. In addition, we have found that the conformation of the NS5A/5B inhibitor slightly differs from that of NS5A/5B substrate peptide, suggesting different binding mode for NS3 protease. These findings will be of importance for designing efficient inhibitor to suppress HCV processing.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.138-144
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• 2016

Twelve unrecorded yeasts, Pseudozyma prolifica HL9-1, Trichosporon coremiiforme NS19-2, Candida cretensis SA4-1, Cryptococcus diffluens TJ4-3, Cryptococcus pinus YB17-2, Candida vartiovaarae DD2-5, Pichia galeiformis DM3-5, Candida pseudolambica JW2-3, Trichosporon xylopini NS5-1, Trichosporon moniliiforme NS5-7, Tetrapisispora iriomotensis NS14-2, and Tetrapisispora nanseiensis SA17-1, were screened among 97 yeasts from soils of Chungcheongnam-do and Daejeon metropolitan city, Korea. These yeasts were oval or ellipsoidal and had a budding system for vegetative reproduction. They grew well in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose (YPD) medium and, in particular, Tetrapisispora iriomotensis NS14-2 and Candida cretensis SA4-1 grew well in 10% NaCl-containing YPD broth. Nine strains, including Trichosporon coremiiforme NS19-2, assimilated xylose and four yeast strains, such as Candida vartiovaarae DD2-5, also assimilated lactose. Physiological functionalities of cell-free extracts and supernatants from two halophilic unrecorded yeasts, Candida cretensis SA4-1 and Tetrapisispora iriomotensis NS14-2, were investigated. Cell-free extracts from Candida cretensis SA4-1 and Tetrapisispora iriomotensis NS14-2 exhibited 71.3% and 68.4% antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2015

The dry weight of mother plants' leaves had the highest increase rate in both NS (single-use) and NS+EM (mixed-use) mixed with NS 0.8 (customary use). In seafood amino acid fertilizer (SAF) application, the increase rate was highest in SAF solution at a 300-fold dilution. Mother plants' crown diameter, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length and leaf number showed the greatest growth amount when NS 0.8 (customary use) was mixed to NS (single-use) or NS+EM (mixed-use) solution. The growth was highest in SAF solution diluted 300 folds, but lowest in SAF solution diluted 100 folds. Of all inorganic nutrients, excluding sulfur, total amount of nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium had the highest increase rate in both NS (single-use) and NS+EM (mixed-use) with the treatment of NS 0.8 (customary use). Total nitrogen, in particular, was increased by 3.1% in NS 0.4, 6.0% in NS 0.8, and 4.5% in NS 0.8 with the application of NS+EM at a 500-fold dilution compared to NS alone. Total nitrogen amount showed the highest increase rate in SAF solution diluted 300 folds. Total nitrogen, available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and EC in soils applied with culture solutions (NS, NS+EM) had increasing tendencies after fertilizer application. The results were comparable to those of SAF treatment. The increase rate of each inorganic nutrient composition declined in soils applied with NS+EM solution diluted 500 folds compared to NS alone.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.197-207
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• 1997

To investigate the NS4 region of JEV, NS4 cDNA of K94P05 (JEV strain isolated from Korea in 1994) was amplified by RT-PCR and analyzed by sequencing PCR product. Genomic size of NS4 was 1212bp and nucleotide sequence was compared with that of other JEV strains. Nucleotide homology between JaOAr582 and K94P05 was 91.1% and that between Beijing and K94P05 was 89.8%, respectively. But the nucleotide sequence of E region of JaOAr582 and K94P05 showed 97.0% homology and that of Beijing and K94P05 did 95.8% homology. NS4 protein was expressed as a form of fusion protein by a prokaryotic expression system. The induced fusion product showed a lower molecular weight than predicted size and remained insoluble. The NS4 protein might be cleavaged by E. coli protease. Concluding above results, high hydrophobicity of the NS4 protein supported the fact that this protein played a role as a membrane component and the poor nucleotide sequence conservativity among JEV strains suggested that this region might be important to adapt each viral growth environment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.741-748
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• 2004

The hepatitis C virus is associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. Among the 10 polyproteins produced by the virus, no function has been clearly assigned to the non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein. This study was designed to identify the hepatocellular proteins that interact with NS5A of the HCV. Yeast two-hybrid experiments were performed with a human liver cDNA prey-library, using five different NS5A derivatives as baits, the full-length NS5A (NS5A-F, amino acid (aa) 1~447) and its four different derivatives, denoted as NS5A-A (aa 1~150), -B (aa 1~300), -C (aa 300~447) and D (aa 150~447). NS5A-F, NS5A-B and NS5A-C gave two, two and 10 candidate clones, respectively, including an AHNAK-related protein, the secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4), the N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), the cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (CRABP-1), ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), translokin, tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2), phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K) and $centaurin{\delta}$ 2 ($CENT{\delta}2$). However, NS5A-A produced no candidates and NS5A-D was not suitable as bait due to transcriptional activity. Based on an in vitro binding assay, CRABP-1, PI4K, $CENT{\delta}2$ and two unknown fusion proteins with maltose binding protein (MBP), were confirmed to interact with the glutathione S-transferase (GST)/NS5A fusion protein. Furthermore, the interactions of CRABP-1, PI4K and $CENT{\delta}2$ were not related to the PXXP motif (class II), as judged by a domain analysis. While their biological relevance is under investigation, the results contribute to a better understanding of the possible role of NS5A in hepatocellular signaling pathways.