• 대한본초학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Myrrh 80% ethanol extract on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cell.Methods : Myrrh was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay using 3T3-L1 cells. Anti-obesity activity was measured in lipid droplets and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. We also analyzed the expression of C/EBPβ, C/EBPα, PPARγ, SREBP1c, and aP2 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, we observed the production of fatty acid, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and Oil-red O stainingResults : No cytotoxicity from Myrrh 80% ethanol extracts was observed at the concentration of 1, 10, 100 (㎍/㎖) in 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment with Myrrh significantly suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in triglyceride and Fatty acid and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Also, Myrrh exhibited potential adipogenesis inhibition and downregulated the expression of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ, and adipocyte expressed genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and Fas. In addition, lipid accumulation determined by Oil-red O staining showed that Myrrh extract had inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.Conclusions : These results suggest that Myrrh suppresses obesity factors in 3T3-L1 cells. Myrrh may be a useful medical herbs for attenuating metabolic diseases such as obesity.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2014

Objectives: In homeopathy, it is claimed that more homeopathically-diluted potencies render more protective/curative effects against any disease condition. Potentized forms of Condurango are used successfully to treat digestive problems, as well as esophageal and stomach cancers. However, the comparative efficacies of Condurango 6C and 30C, one diluted below and one above Avogadro's limit (lacking original drug molecule), respectively, have not been critically analyzed for their cell-killing (apoptosis) efficacy against lung cancer cells in vitro, and signalling cascades have not been studied. Hence, the present study was undertaken. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were conducted on H460-non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by using a succussed ethyl alcohol vehicle (placebo) as a control. Studies on cellular morphology, cell cycle regulation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA-damage were made, and expressions of related signaling markers were studied. The observations were done in a "blinded" manner. Results: Both Condurango 6C and 30C induced apoptosis via cell cycle arrest at subG0/G1 and altered expressions of certain apoptotic markers significantly in H460 cells. The drugs induced oxidative stress through ROS elevation and MMP depolarization at 18-24 hours. These events presumably activated a caspase-3-mediated signalling cascade, as evidenced by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunofluorescence studies at a late phase (48 hours) in which cells were pushed towards apoptosis. Conclusion: Condurango 30C had greater apoptotic effect than Condurango 6C as claimed in the homeopathic doctrine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.67-73
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• 2008

The potential of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a Serratia sp. strain Gsm01 as an antiviral agent against a yellow strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-Y) was evaluated in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc). The spray treatment of plants using an EPS preparation, 72h before CMV-Y inoculation, protected them against symptom appearance. Fifteen days after challenge inoculation with CMV-Y, 33.33% of plants showed mosaic symptoms in EPS-treated plants compared with 100% in the control plants. The EPS-treated plants, which showed mosaic symptoms, appeared three days later than the controls. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses of the leaves of the protected plants revealed that the EPS treatment affected virus accumulation in those plants. Analysis of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase, and phenols in protected plants revealed enhanced accumulation of these substances. The pathogenesis-related (PR) genes expression represented by PR-lb was increased in EPS-treated plants. This is the first report of a systemic induction of protection triggered by EPS produced by Serratia sp. against CMV-Y.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.17-24
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• 2013

This study examined the expression of inhibitor of DNA-binding (Id) proteins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the ovary according to female age using a mice model as the first step in investigating the potential role of Ids and VEGF in ovarian aging. C57BL inbred female mice of three age groups (6-9, 14-16, and 23-26 weeks) were injected with 5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in order to synchronize the estrus cycle. After 48 h, ovarian expression of Ids and VEGF was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry. Ovarian apoptosis was examined by ovarian expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Expression of Id-1 and VEGF was decreased with advancing female age, but not Id-2, Id-3, and Id-4. In particular, their expressions were significantly decreased in aged mice of 23-26 weeks compared with the young mice of 6-9 weeks (p < 0.05). In contrast, ovarian apoptosis was greatly increased in the aged mice compared to the young mice. This result suggests that Id-1 may have an implicated role in ovarian aging by associating with VEGF.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.297-307
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• 2003

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the Puerarie Radix water extract (PRE) against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity and the mechanism underlying these protective effects in the rats. The pretreatment of PRE has shown to possess a significant protective effect by lowering the serum alanine and aspartate aminoteansferase (AST and ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This hepatoprotective action was confirmed by histological observation. In addition, the pretreatment of PRE prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content and catalase activity in the liver of CC1₄-injected rats. The PRE also displayed hydroxide radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 83.6 μg/ml), as assayed by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique. Moreover, the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) mRNA, as measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), was significantly decreased in the liver of PRE-pretreated rats when compared with that in the liver of control group. Based on these results, it was suggested that the hepatoprotective effects of the PRE may be related to antioxidant effects and regulation of CYP2E1 gene expression.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.293-298
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• 2007

Robinia pseudoacacia var. umbraculifera, commonly called umbrella black locust were regenerated after co-cultivation of internode segments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens which included yeast cadmium factor 1 (YCF 1) gene. The tolerance to cadmium and lead for plants can be increased by the YCF1 gene expression. Moreover, the recent studies have shown that YCF1 gene transgenic plants increase the accumulation of cadmium and lead into plant vacuoles. The effect of plant growth regulator such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), ${\alpha}$-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine (BA), and thidiazuron (TDZ) were studied to evaluate the propagation of plants through internode explants. The efficient induction of multiple adventitious shoots and callus were observed on a medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L TDZ + 0.2 mg/L BA. To induce shoot elongation and rooting, regenerated shoots were transferred into basal MS medium without any plant growth regulator. Successful Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation was obtained by 20 min vacuum-infiltration with $50{\mu}M$ acetosyringone on the optimal multiple shoot induction medium with 30 mg/L hygromycin and 300 mg/L cefotaxime. To confirm the integration and expression of transgene, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) were performed with specific primers. The frequency of transformation was approximately 18.94%. This study can be used to genetic engineering of phytoremediator.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.10-17
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• 2015

Objectives: An outbreak of acute febrile illness occurred in the Republic of Korea Air Force boot camp from May to July 2011. An epidemiological investigation of the causative agent, which was of a highly infective nature, was conducted. Methods: Throat swabs were carried out and a multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was performed to identify possible causative factors. Results: The mean age of patients who had febrile illness during the study period was 20.24 years. The multiplex RT-PCR assay identified respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as the causative agent. The main symptoms were sore throat (76.0%), sputum (72.8%), cough (72.1%), tonsillar hypertrophy (67.9%), and rhinorrhea (55.9%). The mean temperature was $38.75^{\circ}C$ and the attack rate among the recruits was 15.7% (588 out of 3750 recruits), while the mean duration of fever was 2.3 days. The prognosis was generally favorable with supportive care but recurrent fever occurred in 10.1% of the patients within a month. Conclusions: This is the first epidemiological study of an RSV outbreak that developed in a healthy young adult group. In the event of an outbreak of an acute febrile illness of a highly infective nature in facilities used by a young adult group, RSV should be considered among the possible causative agents.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

This study was investigated to diagnose pathogenic organisms of atrophic piglets in northern area of the Gyeongnam province, Korea. Samples such as feces, blood and necropsy specimens of 42 atrophic piglets (${\leq}10$ weeks old) were taken from May to December 2013 for this survey. Samples were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and bacteria isolation for detection of pathogenic agents. 93 pathogens were isolated from 42 samples can be classified into ll groups. We identified bacterial agents in 56 cases (60.2%) and viral agents in 31 cases (33.3%). However, 6 cases (6.5%) were undetected. Among these pathogens, the most prevalent disease were porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in 22 cases (23.7%). The major diseases were Colibacillosis in 15 cases (16.1%), Glasser's disease in 12 cases (12.9%), and porcine epidemic disease (PED) in 9 cases (9.7%). Mixed infections were accounted for 77.8% of atrophic piglets. In particular, the rate of mixed infections with PRRS virus showed the highest frequency (71.4%). In addition, there is a seasonal variation. Viral pathogens were dominantly detected in winter, but in the rest of the season bacterial agents were mainly detected. Gastrointestinal diseases occurred mainly in the pre-weaning piglets, the respiratory diseases and wasting diseases occurred mainly in the post-weaning piglets.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.778-785
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• 1999

To detect CDV RNA in clinical samples and differentiate prevailing CDV virulent strains affecting susceptible animals from attenuated vaccine strains, we performed RT-PCR, RFLP, and sequencing. CDV specific primers were generated from the middle part of nucleocapsid gene. The expected size of PCR products, 519 bp, was observed in tissues of Jindo dog, poodle dog, badger, fourteen of nineteen blood samples as well as 5 vaccine strains including domestic and imported products. The PCR products obtained from tissues and PBMCs of infected animals were digested to 317- and 202-bp fragments by Bam HI, but the products obtained from four of five vaccine strains and Lederle strain were not digesed by Bam HI. Only one vaccine strain of which the PCR products were digested by Bam HI was confirmed as imported vaccine, modified Synider Hill strain. Based on seqencing data obtained from the 519-bp products, it was confirmed that Bam HI restriction site tends to be conserved in field isolates compared to the commercially available attenuated vaccine strains. Partial nucleotide sequences of CDV NP gene obtained from tissues of Jindo dog, poodle and badger shared 100% homology each other, whereas the nucleotide sequences showed 96.3, 96.5, 93.6 and 93.4% homology with Yanaka (virulent), Han95 (virulent), Lederle (attenuated) and Onderstepoort (attenuated) strain, respectively.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2008

The expression of heat shock protein genes (Hsp 70, Hsp 40, Hsp 20.8 and Hsp 20.4) against thermal stress in silkworm Bombyx mori was performed through semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Upon exposure of silkworm to two temperature regimes ($38^{\circ}C$ and $42^{\circ}C$), significant change in the expression of Hsp gene was observed as compared to the control. Hsp 70 and Hsp 40 showed increased expression than the small heat shock protein genes Hsp 20.8 and Hsp 20.4. The Hsp 70 showed increased expression during the recovery period as compared to 1 hr thermal treatments ($38^{\circ}C$/1 hr and $42^{\circ}C$/1 hr). Whereas, Hsp 40, Hsp 20.8 and Hsp 20.4 genes showed higher expression level at initial stages that later gradually decrease during recovery period. Tissue specific expression of Hsp 70 showed variation in the level of expression amongst the tissues. The mid gut and fat body tissues showed higher expression than the cuticle and silk gland tissue. The Hsp 70, Hsp 40 gene expression was analyzed in thermotolerant (Nistari) and thermo susceptible silk worm strain (NB4D2) and results showed significant variation in their expression level. The Nistari showed higher expression of Hsp 70 and Hsp 40 genes than the NB4D2. These findings provide a better understanding of cellular protection mechanisms against environmental stress such as heat shock, as these Hsps are involved in an organism thermotolerance.