• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.387-401
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• 2021

Thrips infesting hot peppers were monitored in greenhouses using yellow sticky traps. In addition, the hot peppers infected with tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were observed during the monitoring period. The flower thrips (Frankliniella intonsa) were initially trapped at a low density just after transplanting seedlings of hot peppers at late March. The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) were trapped after mid April. These two thrips represented more than 98% of the total thrips attracted to the traps after May, in which F. intonsa showed higher occurrence frequency than F. occidentalis. The total number of thrips had two peaks at mid May with a small and short-term peak and at June-July with a large and long-term peak. The trapped thrips exhibited inconsistent sex ratios, suggesting a seasonal parthenogenesis. Different geographical populations were varied in cytochrome oxidase I sequences, in which local populations in Andong shared a high sequence similarity. TSWV-infected hot peppers, which might be mediated by these two thrips species, were observed and confirmed by an immunoassay kit and a molecular diagnosis using RT-PCR. In addition, the TSWV was detected in F. occidentalis collected from the infected hot peppers. Three open reading frames (NS_S, N, and NS_M) of the isolated TSWV genomes were sequenced and showed multiple point mutations containing missense mutations among geographical variants. When the isolated TSWV was fed to nonvirulent thrips of F. occidentalis, the virus was detected in both larvae and adults. However, the viral replication occurred in larvae, but not in adults.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2019

This study evaluated the anti-oxidant and whitening effects of a 70% ethanol extract of the Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula (Nakai) (SS). At $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ concentration, the electron donating ability of this SS extract was found to be 86.21% and the ABTS+ radical scavenging ability was 97.9%. In terms of whitening activity, the tyrosinase inhibitory effect of the extract was 37%, also at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. To explore the extractefftoxicity to B16F10 melanoma cells, a 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide assay was performed. Results showed 90% or more cells remained viable at $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. A Western blot of the SS extract was used to measure microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase relate protein-2 (TRP-2), and the tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect at 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations; ${\beta}-actin$ was used as a positive control. Consequently, the MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and the tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect were seen to decrease by 34.5%, 45.6%, 58.4%, and 79.6%, respectively, at $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. These were also then measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations with GAPDH as a positive control. As a result, the SS extract was seen to decrease MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and the tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect by 85.4%, 67.5%, 85.2%, 67.1%, respectively at the $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. We therefore confirmed the possibility of Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula (Nakai) extract as a whitening material.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.394-406
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• 2019

The cellular senescence may be due to damage by the reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study has compared the antioxidant activity in the human cell lines of various origins, including 10S and 50S-derived normal skin fibroblasts, and 10S bone marrow, dental tissue and adipose-derived adult stem cells. After being exposed to $H_2O_2$, half inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values by cytotoxicity assay was significantly (P<0.05) lower in 50S-derived skin fibroblasts, than in 10S-derived skin fibroblasts and various adult stem cell lines. The cell population doubling time (PDT) and the cell frequency with high senescence associated-${\beta}$-galactose activity were remarkably increased in 50S-derived fibroblasts exposed to 50 ppm $H_2O_2$ for 7 days, than those of 10S-derived fibroblasts and various adult stem cell lines. Further, the expression level of antioxidant-related genes, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT), was investigated in 10S and 50S-derived skin fibroblasts, and 10S-derived various adult stem cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression level of GPX was higher in most of cell lines, compared to CAT, and a significantly (P<0.05) higher expression level of GPX was observed in 10S-derived skin fibroblasts and adult stem cell lines, compared to 50S-derived skin fibroblasts. We concluded that old-aged skin fibroblasts seemed to be less resistant against ROS than young-aged skin fibroblasts and adult stem cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.489-497
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity is often associated with disturbances in the mineral metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity on tissue zinc concentrations and zinc transporter expressions in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were fed either a control diet (10% energy from fat, control group) or a high-fat diet (45% energy from fat, obese group) for 15 weeks. The zinc concentrations in the serum, stool, and various tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectrophotometry or ICP-mass spectrophotometry. The levels of zinc transporter mRNAs in the liver, duodenum, and pancreas were measured by real-time RT-PCR. The levels of serum adipokines, such as leptin and IL-6, were determined. Results: The total body weight, adipose tissue weight, and hepatic TG and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group, as compared to the control group. The obese group had significantly higher levels of serum leptin and pro-inflammatory IL-6 concentrations, and had significantly lower levels of serum alkaline phosphatase activity. The zinc concentrations of the liver, kidney, duodenum, and pancreas were all significantly lower in the obese group than in the control group. On the other hand, the fecal zinc concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group than in the control group. The serum zinc concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. The ZnT1 mRNA levels of the liver and the pancreas were significantly higher in the obese group, as compared to the control group. Hepatic Zip10 mRNA was also increased in the obese group. Conclusion: Our study findings suggest that obesity increases fecal zinc excretion and lowers the tissue zinc concentrations, which may be associated with alterations in the zinc transporter expressions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2019

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of either moderate or high intensity aerobic exercise on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the high fat diet-induced obese mice. The 4 weeks male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal diet control (NC; n=10), high-fat diet control (HC; n=10), high fat diet with moderate intensity exercise (HME; n=10), or high fat diet with high intensity exercise (HIE; n=10) groups. The high fat diet was given 60% calories from fat whereas normal diet was given 18% calories from fat. The moderate intensity exercise group (HME) was set at 10m/min in the first 2 weeks, 12m/min in 3-5 weeks and 14m/min in 6-16 weeks and the high intensity exercise group (HIE) was set at 14m/min in the first 2 weeks, 17m/min in 3-5 weeks and 18m/min in 6-16 weeks. The semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was used to analyze the gene expression. The moderate intensity exercise significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, F480, CD11c and CD86. Further, the moderate intensity exercise significantly increased CD206 and $PGC1{\alpha}$, BMP7 and PRDM. The high intensity exercise significantly reduced NLRP3, CD11c and CD86. Further, the high intensity exercise significantly increased $PGC1{\alpha}$ and BMP7. In conclusion, moderate intensity exercise has more positive effects on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte maskers compared to high intensity exercise in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.156-164
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• 2018

Purpose: We aimed to identify the epidemiology and the clinical characteristics of human parainfluenza virus type 4 (HPIV-4) infection compared to HPIVs 1-3 infections in Korean children. Methods: We reviewed medical records of children with HPIV infection who visited Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Detection of respiratory viruses was performed using real time-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR), which could differentiate HPIVs 1-4. Diagnosis was classified as a febrile illness, upper respiratory tract infection (URI), croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. The epidemiology, demographic features, and clinical characteristics among HPIV types were compared. The clinical data were analyzed only for the previously healthy children. Results: Of the 472 children diagnosed with HPIV infection, 108 (22.9%) were previously healthy: 24 (22.2%), 19 (17.6%), 39 (36.1%), and 26 (24.1%) in HPIV types 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The median age of children with HPIV-4 infection was 11 (0-195) months: the proportion of children aged < 2 years and 2 to < 5 years were 65.4% and 19.2%, respectively. Clinical diagnoses of HPIV-4 infection were bronchiolitis (38.5%), pneumonia (30.8%), and URI (30.8%). Croup was the most prevalent in HPIV-2 (21.1%) and none in HPIV-4 infection (P=0.026). Hospital admission rates among HPIV types were not significantly different (P>0.05). Conclusions: We observed seasonal peak of HPIV-4 infection in 2015 and 2017. HPIV-4 was a common respiratory pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.449-456
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• 2018

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. In lower Human Development Index countries, it has the second highest incidence and mortality among cancer in women. Therefore, better diagnosis and treatment systems are needed. Among them, estrogen receptor alpha ($ER-{\alpha}$) mRNA expression has been analyzed with RT-qPCR since several studies reported that $ER-{\alpha}$ is necessary in the maturation of the uterus and is related to cervical cancer. In this study, $ER-{\alpha}$ quantitative analysis was performed on various lesions and normal tissue samples. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, its sensitivity and specificity were 85% and 75%, respectively, showing higher or similar results to those of conventional HPV tests. In addition, its expression level was analyzed with clinical information. With regression analysis, the R square value between the $ER-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression level and menopause status was 0.5041, indicating a strong correlation. This study was performed as part of a pilot study and suggests that $ER-{\alpha}$ is related to carcinogenesis. Future studies will examine other hormones and menopausal factors with a larger sample size.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.148-157
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• 2019

A 70% ethanol extract of Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. was investigated for its whitening activity for application as a functional ingredient in cosmetic products. At the E. annuus extract concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$, the electron-donating ability was found to be 67.83%, the tyrosinase inhibitory effect (related to skin-whitening) was 69%, the elastase inhibitory effect (related to skin-wrinkling) was 69%, and the astringent effect was 80%. The $ABTS^+$ radical-scavenging ability was 87% at the $500{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. In the cell viability test measured on melanoma cells, 96% of the cells treated with $100{\mu}g/ml$ of the extract were viable. According to the western blot results, the protein expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 was decreased by 60.22%, 47.83%, 54.79%, and 67.88%, respectively, at the extract concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. The protein expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) was decreased with increasing concentrations of the extract. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the extract showed that the mRNA expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 was decreased by 86.51%, 85.22%, 74.26%, and 66.66%, respectively, at $100{\mu}g/ml$ extract concentration. The findings suggest that the 70% ethanol extract from E. annuus (L.) Pers. has potential as a cosmeceutical ingredient with whitening effect.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2020

We have developed a simultaneous diagnostic method that can identify both the species of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) that are problematic in chrysanthemum plants. This is a method of amplifying DNA by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction by simultaneously adding primers specific to TSWV coat protein (N) gene and primers specific to the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of Frankliniella occidentalis and F. intonsa using total nucleic acid extracted from one thrips. The sizes of DNA fragments for TSWV, F. occidentalis, and F. intonsa were 777, 287, and 367 bp, respectively. These results showed species identification of thrips and whether thrips carrying TSWV can be simultaneously confirmed. Further usefulness of the simultaneous diagnostic method was made from greenhouse survey at chrysanthemum greenhouses in Taean (Chungcheongnam-do) and Changwon (Gyeongsangnam-do) to investigate the identification of thrips species and the rate of thrips carrying TSWV. Of thrips collected from the greenhouses, 83.7% thrips was F. occidentalis and 72.9% F. occidentalis carried TSWV in Taean. Similarly, the diagnostic method showed that 92.2% thrips was F. occidentalis and 84.0% F. occidentalis carried TSWV in Changwon. These results confirm that F. occidentalis is a dominant thrips species and the thrips species plays a crucial role in the transmission of TSWV in chrysanthemum plants in the greenhouses. Taken together, this study showed a simple diagnostic method for thrips identification and epidemiological studies of the timing and spread of TSWV through thrips in chrysanthemum greenhouses in South Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2022

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have received considerable attention regarding their involvement in glutamate-induced neuronal excitotoxicity. Resveratrol has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects against this kind of overactivation, but the underlying cellular mechanisms are not yet clearly understood. In this study, HT-22 neuronal cells were treated with NMDA in Mg²⁺-free buffer and subsequently used as an experimental model of glutamate excitotoxicity to elucidate the mechanisms of resveratrol-induced neuroprotection. We found that NMDA treatment causes a drop in MTT reduction ability, disrupts inside-negative transmembrane potential of mitochondria, depletes cellular ATP levels, and stimulates intracellular ROS production. Double fluorescence imaging studies demonstrated an increased formation of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores accompanied by apoptotic cell death, while cobalt protoporphyrin and bilirubin showed protective effects against NMDA-induced mitochondrial injury. On the other hand, zinc protoporphyrin IX significantly attenuated the protective effects of resveratrol which was itself shown to enhance heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein expression levels. In cells transfected with HO-1 small interfering RNA, resveratrol failed to suppress the NMDA-induced effects on MTT reduction ability and MPT pore formation. The present study suggests that resveratrol may prevent mitochondrial injury in NMDA- treated HT-22 cells and that enhanced expression of HO-1 is involved in the underlying cellular mechanism.