• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.439-451
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• 2004

Total solar irradiance (750), total UV irradiunce (TUV) and erythemal UV irradiance (EUV) measured at King Sejong station $(62.22^{\circ}S,\;58.78^{\circ}W)$ in west Antarctica have been used together with total ozone, cloud amount and snow cover to examine the effects of ozone, cloud and snow surface on these surface solar inadiunce over the period of 1998-2003. The data of three solar components for each scan were grouped by cloud amount, n in oktas $(0{\leq}n<3,\;3{\leq}n<4,\;4{\leq}n<5,\;5{\leq}n<6,\;6{\leq}n<7\;and\;7{\leq}n<8)$ and plotted against solar zenith angle (SZA) over the range of $45^{\circ}\;to\;75^{\circ}$. The radiation amplification factor (RAE) is used to quantify ozone effect on EUV. RAF of EUV decreases from 1.51 to 0.94 under clear skies but increases from 0.94 to 1.85 under cloudy skies as SZA increases, and decreases from 1.51 to 1.01 as cloud amount increases. The effects of cloud amount and snow surface on EUV are estimated as a function of SZA and cloud amount after normalization of the data to the reference total ozone of 300 DU. In order to analyse the transmission of solar radiation by cloud, regression analyses have been performed for the maximum values of solar irradiance on clear sky conditions $(0{\leq}n<3)$ and the mean values on cloudy conditions, respectively. The maximum regression values for the clear sky cases were taken to represent minimum aerosol conditions fur the site and thus appropriate for use as a normalization (reference) factor for the other regressions. The overall features for the transmission of the three solar components show a relatively high values around SZAs of $55^{\circ}\;and\;60^{\circ}$ under all sky conditions and cloud amounts $4{\leq}n<5$ and $5{\leq}n<6$. The transmission is, in general, the largest in TUV and the smallest in EUV among the three components of the solar irradiance. If the ground is covered with snow on partly cloudy days $(6{\leq}n<7)$, EUV increases by 20 to 26% compared to snow-free surface around SZA $60^{\circ}-65^{\circ}$, due to multiple reflections and scattering between the surface and the clouds. The relative difference between snow surface and snow-free surface slowly increases from 9% to 20% as total ozone increases from 100 DU to 400 DU under partly cloud conditions $(3{\leq}n<6)$ at SZA $60^{\circ}$. The snow effects on TUV and TSO are relatively high with 32% and 34%, respectively, under clear sky conditions, while the effects changes to 36% and 20% for TUV and TSO, respectively, as cloud amount increases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.899-906
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• 2014

Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) promotes tumor-persistent inflammation, frequently resulting in cancer. Curcumin is a diphenolic turmeric that inhibits carcinogenesis and induces apoptosis. $PGE_2$ inhibits curcumin-induced apoptosis; however, the underlying inhibitory mechanisms in colon cancer cells remain unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the survival role of $PGE_2$ and whether addition of exogenous $PGE_2$ affects curcumininduced cell death. HCT-15 cells were treated with curcumin and $PGE_2$, and protein expression levels were investigated via Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels were confirmed using specific dyes. The nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) DNA-binding was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). $PGE_2$ inhibited curcumin-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress and degradation of PARP and lamin B. However, exposure of cells to the EP2 receptor antagonist, AH6809, and the PKA inhibitor, H89, before treatment with $PGE_2$ or curcumin abolished the protective effect of $PGE_2$ and enhanced curcumin-induced cell death. $PGE_2$ activates PKA, which is required for cAMP-mediated transcriptional activation of CREB. $PGE_2$ also activated the Ras/Raf/Erk pathway, and pretreatment with PD98059 abolished the protective effect of $PGE_2$. Furthermore, curcumin treatment greatly reduced phosphorylation of CREB, followed by a concomitant reduction of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50 and p65) subunit activation. $PGE_2$ markedly activated nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EMSA confirmed the DNA-binding activities of $NF-{\kappa}B$ subunits. These results suggest that inhibition of curcumin-induced apoptosis by $PGE_2$ through activation of PKA, Ras, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways may provide a molecular basis for the reversal of curcumin-induced colon carcinoma cell death.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6155-6157
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• 2012

Background: Mutations in the MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) signaling pathway - EGFR/Ras/RAF/MEK have been associated with the development of several carcinomas. ERK2, a downstream target of the MAPK pathway and a founding member of the MAPK family is activated by cellular signals emanating at the cell membrane. Activated ERK2 translocates into the nucleus to transactivate genes that promote cell proliferation. MKP - a dual specific phosphatase - interacts with activated ERK2 via the common docking (CD) domain of the later to inactivate (dephosphorylate) and effectively terminate further cell proliferation. A constitutively active form of ERK2 carrying a single point mutation - E322K in its CD domain, was earlier reported by our laboratory. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of this CD domain E322K mutation in 88 well differentiated OSCC tissue samples. Materials and Method: Genomic DNA specimens isolated from 88 oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples were amplified with primers flanking the CD domain of the ERK2 gene. Subsequently, PCR amplicons were gel purified and subjected to direct sequencing to screen for mutations. Results: Direct sequencing of eighty eight OSCC samples identified an E322K CD domain mutation in only one (1.1%) OSCC sample. Conclusions: Our result indicates that mutation in the CD domain of ERK2 is rare in OSCC patients, which suggests the role of genetic alterations in other mitogenic genes in the development of carcinoma in the rest of the patients. Nevertheless, the finding is clinically significant, as the relatively rare prevalence of the E322K mutation in OSCC suggests that ERK2, being a common end point signal in the multi-hierarchical mitogen activated signaling pathway may be explored as a viable drug target in the treatment of OSCC.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.311-336
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• 2020

The flora of Sejong were summarized as 531 taxa including 104 families, 315 genera, 462 species, 3 subspecies, 59 varieties and 7 form. The rare plants were 8 taxa including Nepeta cataria L. and Aristolochia ontorta Bunge. The Korea endemic plants were 9 taxa including Populus tomentiglandulosa T. B. Le and Clematis trichotoma Nakai.. The specific plants were 42 taxa including Phytolacca esculenta Van Houtte(V), Corydalis decumbens (Thunb.) Pers(IV), Poncirus trifoliata Raf(III), Pseudostellaria coreana (Nakai) Ohwi(II), Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm.(I). The naturalized plants were 49 taxa including Sicyos angulatus L, Ambrosia trifida L, Physalis angulata L. Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx., Galinsoga parviflora Cav, and Erigeron philadelphicus L. Especially, Sicyos angulatus L., Phytolacca americana L. and Bidens frondosa L. have been spread throughout the country are required to manage. The naturalized index(NI) and urbanized index(UI) were 8.7% and 15.3%. Useful plants incuding Edible was 199 taxa, Pasture was 193 taxa, Medicinal was 178 taxa, Ornamental was 82 taxa, Timber was 25 taxa, Fiber was 18 taxa, Stain was 9 taxa. Useful plants will be important materials for plant design in recreational and healing forests.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.317-322
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• 1995

As a basic research for breeding new varieties, reciprocal -intergeneric crosses between Citrus junos and P.trifoliata were made. F$_1$ hybrid production using in vitro ovule culture, gametogenesis, and fertilization phenomena were investigated. Frequency of fruit set resulting from crossing of Citrus junos and Poncirus Trifoliata was 16.6% while that of Poncirus Trifoliata and Citrus junos was 11.7%. Callus formation occurred well when ovules at the 6th week after pollination were cultured on MT (Murashige and Tucker) medium supplemented with zeatin 0.5 mg/L and NAA 1.0 or 3.0 mg/L. Immature ovules developed into mature embryos of the MT medium supplemented with 2,4-D 0.1 or 3.0 mg/L. Immature ovules developed into mature embryos of the MT medium supplemented with 2,4 D 0.1 or 0.5 mg/L. The invitro germination rates of 20-week-old ovules set C. junos $\times$ P. Trifoliata and P. Trifoliata $\times$ C. junos were 54.5% and 48.6%, respectively. The emergence ratios of trifoliate hybrids obtained by C. junos $\times$ P. Trifoliata and P. Trifoliata $\times$ C. junos were 56.7% and 100%, respectively. The chromosome number of C. junos and P. Trifoliata was n = 9 or 2n = 18, and the sizes of their pollen grain were 33.75 $\mu$ and 25.0 $\mu$. The length and width of embryo sac in C. junos and P. Trifoliata were 69.38~79.23 $\mu$ and 27.50~38.56 $\mu$, and those of egg cells were 17.50~41.50 $\mu$ and 6.25~8.12$\mu$. Fertilization of C. junos and P. trifoliata terminated 72 h after pollination.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1404-1408
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• 2013

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, has been shown to have strong antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive effects. However it is unknown whether EGCG can recover alcohol-associated pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG on pancreatic enzyme activities and the expressions of pancreatic regenerating related markers, such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), and Regenerating gene 1 (Reg1), in mice pancreatic primary acinar cells. Our results revealed that activities of ${\alpha}$-amylase and chymotrypsin were significantly increased in the cells treated with ethanol compared to the untreated control cells; however, the increased activities of both enzymes were markedly reduced by pretreatment with EGCG. Phosphorylation of AMPK and total expression of RKIP were decreased in the ethanol-treated primary acinar cells; however, these were both significantly increased in the EGCG-pretreated cells. In addition, when EGCG was treated, expression of Reg1 was markedly increased compared with that of the control or the ethanol-treated primary acinar cells, demonstrating that EGCG can modulate pancreatic regenerating related genes. Therefore, our findings suggest that EGCG may have therapeutic utility in the prevention or treatment of alcohol-associated pancreatitis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.431-439
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• 2009

Rice Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1 (OsACDR1) encodes a putative Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). We had previously reported upregulation of the OsACDR1 transcript by a range of environmental stimuli involved in eliciting defense-related pathways. Here we apply biochemical, gain and loss-of-function approaches to characterize OsACDR1 function in rice. The OsACDR1 protein showed autophosphorylation and possessed kinase activity. Rice plants overexpressing OsACDR1 exhibited spontaneous hypersensitive response (HR)-like lesions on leaves, upregulation of defense-related marker genes and accumulation of phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites (phytoalexins). These transgenic plants also acquired enhanced resistance to a fungal pathogen (Magnaporthe grisea) and showed inhibition of appressorial penetration on the leaf surface. In contrast, loss-of-function and RNA silenced OsACDR1 rice mutant plants showed downregulation of defense-related marker genes expressions and susceptibility to M. grisea. Furthermore, transient expression of an OsACDR1:GFP fusion protein in rice protoplast and onion epidermal cells revealed its localization to the nucleus. These results indicate that OsACDR1 plays an important role in the positive regulation of disease resistance in rice.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.70-70
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• 2019

본 연구는 인천시 강화군 퇴모산(338m) 일원을 중심으로 식물상을 조사하였다. 관속식물은 76과 210속 268종 3아종 27변종 3품종으로 총 301분류군으로 조사되었다. 분류군별로 양치식물이 4과 5분류군, 나자식물 2과 4분류군, 쌍자엽식물이 61과 226분류군, 단자엽식물이 9과 66분류군이 확인되었다. 주요 식물로 특산식물은 할미밀망(Clematis trichotoma), 백운산원추리(Hemerocallis hakuunensis), 늦둥굴레(Polygonatum infundiflorum)로 3분류군, 희귀식물은 관심대상종(Least Concern)인 두루미천남성(Arisaema heterophyllum), 정보부족종(Data Deficient)인 늦둥굴레(Polygonatum infundiflorum)로 2분류군이 확인되었다. 침입 외래식물은 돼지풀(Ambrosia artemisiifolia), 미국자리공(Phytolacca americana), 좀명아주(Chenopodium ficifolium), 달맞이꽃(Oenothera biennis L.), 털별꽃아재비(Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) S.F.Blake) 등 10과 20분류군이 조사되었다. 유용식물로는 용도를 모르는 49분류군(16.3%)을 제외하면 252분류군(83.7%)이 자원식물로 이용가치가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 이들을 용도에 따라 구분해보면 식용 130분류군(29.4%), 섬유용 3분류군(0.7%), 약용 106분류군(24.0%), 관상용 34분류군(7.7%), 사료용 141분류군(31.9%), 산업용 3분류군(0.7%), 염료용 10분류군(2.3%), 목재용 15분류군(3.4%)으로 조사되었다.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to present the basic data for conservation and management of traditional landscape and ecological environment by surveying and analysing the vascular plants distributed in Gwnagneung, a royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty. The results are as follows. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 446 taxa including 97 families, 274 genera, 384 species, 4 subspecies, 49 varieties and 9 forms. The planting species were 34 taxa including Ginkgo biloba L., Pinus koraiensis Siebold ＆ Zucc., Taxus cuspidata Siebold ＆ Zucc. and so forth. Exotic species such as Pterocarya stenoptera DC. and Magnolia obovata Thunb. need to be remove for traditional landscape management. The rare plants were 7 taxa including 2 taxa of CR(critically endangered), 2 taxa of VU(vulnerable) and 3 taxa of LC(least concerned). The Korean endemic plants were 8 taxa including Pseudostellaria coreana (Nakai) Ohwi, Chrysosplenium pilosum var. fulvum (N.Terracc.) Hara, Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., Indigofera koreana Ohwi, Paulownia coreana Uyeki(planting), Weigela subsessilis (Nakai) L.H.Bailey, Aster koraiensis Nakai(planting) and Hosta minor (Baker) Nakai(planting). The specific plants by floristic region were 45 taxa including 2 taxa of grade V, 12 taxa of grade III, 9 taxa of grade II and 22 taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were 25 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum (L.) Holub, Chenopodium ficifolium Smith, Amorpha fruticosa L., Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) S.F.Blake and so forth. The target plants adaptable to climate change were 9 taxa including 1 taxon of endemic plant and 8 taxa of northern plants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.550-560
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• 2022

Background: The effect of ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) on mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of G-Rh2 on OVA-induced asthmatic mice and on mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis. Methods: Asthma model was established for evaluating airway changes and ear allergy. RPMCs and RBL-2H3 were used for in vitro experiments. Calcium uptake, histamine release and degranulation were detected. ELISA and Western blot measured cytokine and protein levels, respectively. Results: G-Rh2 inhibited OVA-induced airway remodeling, the production of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-8, IL-1β and the degranulation of mast cells of asthmatic mice. G-Rh2 inhibited the activation of Syk and Lyn in lung tissue of OVA-induced asthmatic mice. G-Rh2 inhibited serum IgE production in OVA induced asthmatic mice. Furthermore, G-Rh2 reduced the ear allergy in IgE-sensitized mice. G-Rh2 decreased the ear thickness. In vitro experiments G-Rh2 significantly reduced calcium uptake and inhibited histamine release and degranulation in RPMCs. In addition, G-Rh2 reduced the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-4 in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Interestingly, G-Rh2 was involved in the FcεRI pathway activation of mast cells and the transduction of the Lyn/Syk signaling pathway. G-Rh2 inhibited PI3K activity in a dose-dependent manner. By blocking the antigen-induced phosphorylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, PLCγ2, PI3K ERK1/2 and Raf-1 expression, G-Rh2 inhibited the NF-κB, AKT-Nrf2, and p38MAPK-Nrf2 pathways. However, G-Rh2 up-regulated Keap-1 expression. Meanwhile, G-Rh2 reduced the levels of p-AKT, p38MAPK and Nrf2 in RBL-2H3 sensitized IgE cells and inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway activation by activating the AKT-Nrf2 and p38MAPK-Nrf2 pathways. Conclusion: G-Rh2 inhibits mast cell-induced allergic inflammation, which might be mediated by the AKT-Nrf2/NF-kB and p38MAPK-Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathways.