• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2006

Background: Chronic inflammation in the brain has known to be associated with the development of a various neurological diseases including dementia. In general, the characteristic of neuro-inflammation is the activated microglia over the brain where the pathogenesis occurs. Pro-inflammatory repertoires, interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and nitric oxide (NO), are the main causes of neuro-degenerative disease, particularly in Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is caused by neuronal destruction. Those pro-inflammatory repertoires may lead the brain to chronic inflammatory status, and thus we hypothesized that chronic inflammation would be inhibited when pro-inflammatory repertoires are to be well controlled by inactivating the signal transduction associated with inflammation. Methods: In the present study, we examined whether biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB), an active compound from Schizandra chinensis Baillon, inhibits the NO production by a direct method using Griess reagent and by RT-PCR in the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-1${\beta}$. Western blots were also used for the analysis of NF-${\kappa}B$ and I${\kappa}B$. Results: In the study, we found that DDB effectively inhibited IL-1${\beta}$ as well as NO production in BV-2 microglial cell, and the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was comparably inhibited in the presence of DDB comparing those to the positive control, lipopolysaccharide. Conclusion: The data suggested that the DDB from Schizandra chinensis Baillon may play an effective role in inhibiting the pro-inflammatory repertoires which may cause neurodegeneration and the results imply that the compound suppresses a cue signal of the microglial activation which can induce the brain pathogenesis such as Alzheimer's disease.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권12호
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• pp.799-804
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• 2011

Gangliosides play an important role in neuronal differentiation processes. The regulation of ganglioside levels is related to the induction of neuronal cell differentiation. In this study, the ST8Sia5 gene was transfected into mESCs and then differentiated into neuronal cells. Interestingly, ST8Sia5 gene transfected mESCs expressed GQ1b by HPTLC and immunofluorescence analysis. To investigate the effects of GQ1b over-expression in neurogenesis, neuronal cells were differentiated from GQ1b expressing mESCs in the presence of retinoic acid. In GQ1b expressing mESCs, increased EBs formation was observed. After 4 days, EBs were co-localized with GQ1b and nestin, and GFAP. Moreover, GQ1b co-localized with MAP-2 expressing cells in GQ1b expressing mESCs in 7-day-old EBs. Furthermore, GQ1b expressing mESCs increased the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway. These results suggest that the ST8Sia5 gene increases ganglioside GQ1b and improves neuronal differentiation via the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2011

Zinc finger (ZNF) proteins play a critical role in cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and intracellular signal transduction. In this paper, we cloned and characterized a novel human KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF425, which encodes a protein of 752 amino acids. ZNF425 is strongly expressed in the three month old human embryos and then is almost undetectable in six month old embryos and in adult tissues. An EGFP-ZNF425 fusion protein can be found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. ZNF425 appears to act as a transcription repressor. Over-expression of ZNF425 inhibits the transcriptional activities of SRE, AP-1, and SRF. Deletion analysis indicates that the C2H2 domain is the main region responsible for the repression. Our results suggest that the ZNF425 gene is a new transcriptional inhibitor that functions in the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.11-29
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of this study was to analyse the latest trend of medical science articles about Bojungikki-Tang published in Japan. Methods : We searched medical science articles published from 2003 to 2008 in Japan on the web site, CiNii and then these articles were reviewed and classified according to experimental subject and method. Results : Fifty-two articles, related to Bojungikki-Tang were searched and these were classified into three classes, pharmacological signaling studies, clinical case studies and the others. As a result of classification, clinical case studies were most abundant by 38 cases, pharmacological signaling studies were 10 and the others were 4. This result suggested that the study of Bojungikki-Tang was mainly focused on clinical study rather than experimental study. Among the clinical case studies, clinical studies related to immune disease took the most greatest number and number of other clinical studies were evenly distributed over the various disease. Immune intensification effect of Bojungikki-Tang can be thought continuous with reinforce the middle Jiao Qi in company with improvement effect on growth hormone failure and male infertility. A fact that the one prescription, Bojungikki-Tang could be used to treat various diseases reflects a viewpoint of Oriental medicine that is based on the respect for and understanding of individual constitution and disposition while paying attention to the gender difference and individuality. The clinical usefulness of Bojungikki-Tang on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and visceroptosis concerns with ascend Yang and treat Qi sinking. Pharmacological signaling studies were mainly focused on diseases that were treated Bojungikki-Tang in clinic, however, there was one study that experimented on changes of numerous gene expression according to the treatment of Bojungikki-Tang using DNA array. Conclusion : The therapeutic system of Oriental medicine is different in various aspects form that of Western medicine and appropriate harmonization of east and west is expected to improve the quality of medical care. In this regard, continuous investigation and analysis about herbal medical science papers in Japan can also be useful to make progress in Korean traditional medicine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권12호
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• pp.2159-2170
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• 2016

Many plant-pathogenic bacteria are dependent on quorum sensing (QS) to evoke disease. In this study, the population of QS and quorum quenching (QQ) bacteria was analyzed in a consecutive monoculture system of Pseudostellaria heterophylla. The isolated QS strains were identified as Serratia marcescens with SwrIR-type QS system and exhibited a significant increase over the years of monoculture. Only one QQ strain was isolated from newly planted soil sample and was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, which secreted lactonase to degrade QS signal molecules. Inoculation of S. marcescens to P. heterophylla root could rapidly cause wilt disease, which was alleviated by B. thuringiensis. Furthermore, the expression of lactonase encoded by the aiiA gene in S. marcescens resulted in reduction of its pathogenicity, implying that the toxic effect of S. marcescens on the seedlings was QS-regulated. Meanwhile, excess lactonase in S. marcescens led to reduction in antibacterial substances, exoenzymes, and swarming motility, which might contribute to pathogensis on the seedlings. Root exudates and root tuber extracts of P. heterophylla significantly promoted the growth of S. marcescens, whereas a slight increase of B. thuringiensis was observed in both samples. These results demonstrated that QS-regulated behaviors in S. marcescens mediated by root exudates played an important role in replanting diseases of P. heterophylla.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.41-64
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• 2008

Objective: Hominis Placenta is used in many cure, mainly treats a weak, chronic disease, especially senile. This research investigates the effect of the Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution on Alzheimer's disease. Method: The effects of the Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution on (1) $IL-1{\beta}$ protein, $TNF-{\alpha}$ protein, MDA, and CD68/CD11b (2) the behavior (3) the infarction area of the hippocampus, and brain tissue injury in Alzheimer's diseased mice induced with 13A were investigated. Results: 1. For the Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution group a significant inhibitory effect on the memory deficit was shown for the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}$ A in the Morris water maze experiment, which measured stop-through latency, and distance movement-through latency. 2. The Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution group suppressed the over-expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ protein, $TNF-{\alpha}$ protein, MDA, and CD68/CD11b, in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}A$. 3. The Hominis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture Solution group reduced the infarction area of hippocampus, and controlled the injury of brain tissue in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}A$. 4. The Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution group reduced the Tau protein, GFAP protein, and presenilin1/2 protein, beta-secretase protein, (immunohistochemistry) of hippocampus in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}A$. Conclusion: These results suggest that the Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution group may be effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Investigation into the clinical use of the Hominis Placenta Herbal-Acupuncture Solution for Alzheimer's disease is suggested for future research.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제26권12호
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• pp.1487-1497
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• 2016

Bacterial cell to cell communication strategies called quorum sensing (QS) using small diffusible signaling molecules (auto-inducers) govern the expression of various genes dependent on their population density manner. As a consequence of synthesis and response to the signaling molecules, individual planktonic cells synchronized group behaviors to control a diverse array of phenotypes such as maturation of biofilm, production of extra-polymeric substances (EPS), virulence, bioluminescence and antibiotic production. Many studies indicated that biofilm formations are associated with QS signaling molecules such as acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) mainly used by several Gram negative bacteria. The biofilm maturation causes undesirable biomass accumulation in various surface environments anywhere water is present called biofouling, which results in serious eco-technological problems. Numerous molecules that interfere the bacterial QS called quorum quenching (QQ), have been discovered from various microorganisms, and their functions and mechanisms associated with QS have also been elucidated. To resolve biofouling problems related to various industries, the novel approach based on QS interference has been emerged attenuating multi-drug resisting bacteria appearance and environmental toxicities, which may provide potential advantages over the conventional anti-biofouling approaches. Therefore this paper presents recent information related to bacterial quorum sensing system, quorum quenching enzymes that can control the QS signaling, and lastly discuss the anti-biofouling approaches using the quorum quenching.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.759-766
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• 2006

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a myeloid leukemia caused by over-expression of fusion protein, PML/RAR$({\alpha})$, which was the result of chromosomal translocation and induces the blockage of differentiation of affected promyelocytes. Pharmacological dose of retinoic acid induces the activation of and subsequent degradation of PML/RAR$({\alpha})$ fusion protein, and then APL cells undergo through the normal differentiation pathway. Arsenic trioxide has proved effective in causing remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia by inducing apoptosis of this tumor cells, whereas the heterogeneity of cellular susceptibility to this cytotoxic agent limited its usage on more types of tumors in clinic. This work showed that arsenic trioxide could induce apoptosis of a panel of acute promyelocytic leukemic cell lines, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) sensitive NB4 cells and ATRA resistant UF-1 cell. They were investigated with regard to the correlation between the inherent or intrinsic cellular level of GSH and the apoptotic susceptibility of the cells to arsenic trioxide. We manifested, in two cell types, the inherently existed difference in intracellular GSH level reactive to the arsenic trioxide, and a positive correlation between the GSH level and their apoptotic sensitivity to arsenic trioxide. And it showed that arsenic trioxide could differentiate promyelocytic cancer cells to the cells possessed of dendritic cell surface markers. Unravelling the cause of the different susceptibility between leukemic cells and proving that promyelocyte could be differentiated to dendritic cells by arsenic trioxide will help not only to understand the mechanism underlying the complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia induced by arsenic trioxide, but also to expand its clinical usage.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.87-100
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• 2007

This study aims at analyzing the characteristics of deconestructionism expressed in Issey Myake's fashion who is one of the most creative designers in the world. Method and contents of this study are as follows. Through the review of literatures, three major categories such as interminacy of meaning, decentring, and intertextuality and eight subcategories have been identified as major features of deconestructionism. These subcategories for content analysis were selected to examine the characteristics of deconstructionism expressed in Issey Myake's design in depth. Interminacy of meaning was divided into unstructured and unconstructed factors while decentring into qualities of cross-gender, subculture, anti-fashion, and post-humanism. Lastly, intertextuality was classified into factors of disordered mixing mode and mixed styles. Materials for analysis were chosen from total 349 designs on the website,www.firstview.com, which carries Issey Miyake's collection from 2002 S/S through 2006 F/W. 2 fashion major analysts including the researcher participated in 1st analysis and two another fashion major analysts participated in 2nd analysis. The final level of consistency between analysts was over 97% for all categories. The data analysis quantitatively evaluates the frequency of each category and qualitatively evaluates the characteristics of design. The result is as follows. First, the avant-garde facets of inter-textuality are most prominent. In particular, Miyake has introduced the various novelly textiles to fashion and employed the mixtured styles, not to copy them but to create hybrid designs by using pastiches and mixing fashion styles. Moreover, he has used various fabrics in order to inflict shock and contrast but still create subtle harmony, thus enriching his fashion. Second, the indeterminacy of meaning is the second most frequently shown facet of Miyake's fashion design. Miyake has employed unconstructed expression techniques, which has projected unusual images free from basic forms of designs and also has used the unstructured styles which dismantle harmony and balance-the common rule of design. He has made a new attempt to acknowledge clothing as an expressive artwork by allowing clothes to take a complete form when a person actually wears them. He has demonstrated a unique perspective on cloth construction and presented a love for artistic collaboration in the development of his collections A distinct manufactured aesthetic is exaggerated, even hyperbolic. Thirdly, the aspects of decentralization were also shown in Miyake's design, however, it has been visibly decreased after 2002 S/S.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.157-163
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• 2015

Nanotechnology has advanced at an extremely rapid pace over the past several years in numerous fields of research. However, the uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) into the body after administration through various routes may pose a risk to human health. In this study, we investigated the potential ocular toxicity of 20-nm, negatively- charged zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs in rats using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histopathological assessment. Animals were divided into four groups as control group, ZnO NPs treatment group (500 mg/kg/day), control recovery group, and ZnO NPs treatment and recovery group. Ocular samples were prepared from animals treated for 90 days (10 males and 10 females, respectively) and from recovery animals (5 males and 5 females, respectively) sacrificed at 14 days after final treatment and were compared to age-matched control animals. Micro-CT analyses represented the deposition and distribution of foreign materials in the eyes of rats treated with ZnO NPs, whereas control animals showed no such findings. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and energy dispersive spectrometry showed the intraocular foreign materials as zinc in treated rats, whereas control animals showed no zinc signal. Histopathological examination revealed the retinopathy in the eyes of rats treated with ZnO NPs. Neuronal nuclei expression was decreased in neurons of the ganglion cell layer of animals treated with ZnO NPs compared to the control group. Taken together, treatment with 20-nm, negatively-charged ZnO NPs increased retinopathy, associated with local distribution of them in ocular lesions.