• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.812-818
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-amnesic effect of Stachys sieboldii MIQ. according to the mixing ratio of calcium on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment, in vivo. At the end of the adaptation period, SD rats were divided into a normal group (N), a control group (C: scopolamine), a positive control group (PC: scopolamine + tacrine), and a sample group (S: scopolamine + Stachys sieboldii MIQ., 1CS: scopolamine + low calcium-mixed Stachys sieboldii MIQ., 5CS: scopolamine + high calcium-mixed Stachys sieboldii MIQ.), and were tested with learning and memory tests. The C and CS groups were found to have a decreased scopolamine-induced memory deficit in the Y-maze and water maze tests. Brain tissue analysis showed that the CS group decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and increased acetylcholine (Ach) content, both of which are indicative of neuronal cell activity. From a light microscopy study, the nucleus of neurons in the hippocampus of the brain was more shrunken or condensed in the C group compared to the CS group. In the CS group, the damage to the neurons in the hippocampus of the brain was suppressed. These results suggest that Stachys sieboldii MIQ. according to the mixing ratio of calcium provides a significant anti-amnesic effect against scopolamine-induced cholinergic system deficits and cognitive impairment.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.346-353
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• 2010

Due to the globalization of Korean foods, there are great interests in traditional Korean foods. Thus, the enhancement and development of makgeolli processing have been constantly accomplished. In case of makgeolli, the storage stability is very important because the fermentation of makgeolli during distribution is still progressed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate storage stability of makgeolli by separation storage methods. During the 30-day storage at $10^{\circ}C$, pH value, titratable acidity, color value, sugar content, reducing sugar content, and alcohol content were measured. Microbial cell counts were also evaluated. Reducing sugar content was decreased after 10 days for all the samples. In the case of titratable acidity and color, these values were constantly increased with storage time. Especially, the yellowness value of the precipitate of makgeolli was increased by two times than that of the beginning. There was a decreasing tendency for lactic acid bacteria with storage time. In case of yeast, there was a decreasing tendency after 15 days, but the significance was not detected. The quality changes in the samples from centrifugal separation were relatively less than the control. Therefore, the separation storage method could affect the enhancement of makgeolli quality during distribution.

• Journal of the Korean Data Analysis Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.3201-3209
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors predicting increased usage hours of smartphone among adolescents. Secondary data was analyzed to be collected from a nationally representative sample of 2017 Korean adolescents. This study sample included 54,601 students in middle or high schools of Korea. The collected data were analyzed SPSS version 23.0 program for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and binary logistic regression analysis. In the results, the mean usage hour of smartphone among the adolescents was 28.42 (SD 23.30) per week. Analyses of the differences in usage hours of smartphone according to research variables were found that the groups of lower level of study (F=1361.067, p<.001) and sociality content type (F=761.549, p<.001) spent more time, as compared to the other groups. The logistic analysis showed the predictive factors for increased hour of using smartphone were smartphone usage for sociality (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 2.26-2.64) and peer group counselor (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.49). Conclusionally, the findings of this study suggests that it needs to understand cause or purpose of smartphone using of adolescent and to cope and educate on the cause.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.335-345
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• 2022

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is linked with invading intracellular pathogens. Cardiac pyroptosis has a significant role in coronary microembolization (CME), thus causing myocardial injury. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has powerful cardioprotective effects. Hence, this study aimed to identify the effect of Tan IIA on CME and its underlying mechanism. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped into sham, CME, CME + low-dose Tan IIA, and CME + high-dose Tan IIA groups. Except for the sham group, polyethylene microspheres (42 ㎛) were injected to establish the CME model. The Tan-L and Tan-H groups received intraperitoneal Tan IIA for 7 days before CME. After CME, cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and serum myocardial injury markers were assessed. The expression of pyroptosis-associated molecules and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade was evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and IHC. Relative to the sham group, CME group's cardiac functions were significantly reduced, with a high level of serum myocardial injury markers, and microinfarct area. Also, the levels of caspase-1 p20, GSDMD-N, IL-18, IL-1β, TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ASC expression were increased. Relative to the CME group, the Tan-H and Tan-L groups had considerably improved cardiac functions, with a considerably low level of serum myocardial injury markers and microinfarct area. Tan IIA can reduce the levels of pyroptosis-associated mRNA and protein, which may be caused by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade. In conclusion, Tanshinone IIA can suppress cardiomyocyte pyroptosis probably through modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade, lowering cardiac dysfunction, and myocardial damage.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.373-383
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• 2011

Tributyltin (TBT) is one of endocrine disrupters which are known as having similar function to sex steroid hormone inducing apoptosis in various tissues of rodents. Recently, it has been reported that TBT induces apoptosis in thymus causing the decreased thymic function, but little is known about the mechanism. To elucidate the mechanism, three-week-old SD female rats were orally administrated with TBT 1, 10, and 25 mg per body weight (kg) and sesame oil as a control for 7 days. On day 8, the thymi were obtained and weighed, and then the number of thymocytes was counted. We also performed H&E staining, TUNEL assay, and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis to examine the apoptosis rates and the structure in the thymus. Next, we investigated the adipogenesis and apoptosis-related mRNA expression levels in the thymi by real-time PCR. The thymic weight and the number of thymocytes were decreased by TBT in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of the H&E staining, the boundary between cortical and medullary area was blurred in the thymi of TBT treated rats compared to those of controls. In the results of TUNEL assay and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis, apoptosis rates in the thymus were increased after TBT treatment. The expression levels of thymic epithelial cell marker genes such as EVA, KGF, AIRE, and IL-7 were significantly decreased in the thymi of TBT treated rats, but $PPAR{\gamma}$, aP2, PEPCK, and CD36 were significantly increased. The expression of $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 as apoptosis-related genes also was significantly increased after TBT treatment. The present study demonstrates that TBT can increase the expression of adipogenesis and apoptosis-related genes leading to apoptosis in the thymus. These results suggest that the increased adipogenesis of thymus by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis in the thymus resulting in a loss in thymic immune function.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.145-151
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• 1996

Pathways both mediated by and independent of transferrin(Tf) and the TfR have been described for the accumulation of iron. Although it is not clear whether the same systems take up iron and gallium, these pathways may suggest the contention that uptake of Ga-67 can, in fact, occur by both Tf-independent and Tf-dependent systems and may share with Fe-59 in part the same mechanism for uptake. The predominant system by which uptake of both radiometals occurs may be different in the degree of the transformation of tumor. Transformed(MMSV/3T3) and untransformed(BALB/3T3) cells were incubated with luM of Ga-67-citrate of Fe-59-chloride for 15 min. at $37^{\circ}C$ in either the presence or absence of Tf. After then, the monolayers were washed with HBSS or PBS, and the cells were solubilized in 1% SDS for gamma well counting and protein determinations. There were similarities, as well as differences, in the pattern of uptake of Fe-59 and Ga-67 presented both in ionic from and as bound to Tf. Both radiometals appeared gain to cells in either ionic or Tf-bound forms. Transformed cells appeared to accumulate more radiometal, either Ga-67 or Fe-59 in the presence of Tf than do the their untransforemd counterparts. Conversly the presentation of either radiometal in ionic form resulted in significantly greater accumulation of metal by the untransformed cells than those transformed. The efficiency for uptake of Ga-67 or Fe-59 in the absence of Tf was greater than for uptake of the Ga-Tf or Fe-Tf. However, the magnitude of difference in efficiency of uptake was greater for Fe-59(10-fold) than for Ga-67 (3-fold). Our results Supports the theory that both Tf-independent and Tf-dependent systems for the uptake of Ga-67 both systems operate oppositely between transformed cells and those untransformed, with uptake by the predominating in transformed cells by the Tf-mediated system and in untransformed cells by the Tf-independent. The uptake of Ga-67 by tumor may share with Fe-59 in part the same mechanism.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2007

The cellulase gene of Bacillus licheniformis K11 which has plant growth-promoting activity by auxin and antagonistic ability by siderophore was cloned in pUC18 using PCR employing heterologous primers. The 1.6kb PCR fragment contained the full sequence of the cellulase gene, denoted celW which has been reported to encode a 499 amino acid protein. Similarity search in protein data base revealed that the cellulase from B. licheniformis K11 was more than 97% identical in amino acid sequence to those of various Bacillus spp. The cellulase protein from B. licheniformis K11, overproduced in E. coli DH5${\alpha}$ by the lac promoter on the vector, had apparent molecular weight of 55 kDa upon CMC-SDS-PAGE analysis. The protein not only had enzymatic activity toward carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC), but also was able to degrade insoluble cellulose, such as Avicel and filter paper (Whatman$^{\circledR}$ No. 1). In addition, the cellulase could degrade a fungal cell wall of Phytophthora capsici. Consequently B. licheniformis K11 was able to suppress the peperblight causing P. capsici by its cellulase. Biochemical analysis showed that the enzyme had a maximum activity at 60$^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.0. Also, the enzyme activity was activated by Co$^{2+}$ of Mn$^{2+}$ but inhibited by Fe$^{3+}$ or Hg$^{2+}$. Moreover, enzyme activity was not inhibited by SDS or sodium azide.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.388-394
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• 2003

Background : Monoclonal antibodies directed against well-known epitopes on cytokeratin (CK) 8, 18 and 19 (Monototal) have been used in the development of a new diagnostic tool for lung cancer. In the mid-1990s, CK 19 fragments (Cyfra 21-1) became popular and widely used for such diagnosis. This is the first study specifically designed to compare these two markers. Method : The serum levels of CK 8, 18 and 19 were measured using two-site monoclonal/polyclonal immunoradiometric assay kit in 57 healthy adults and 289 patients who were admitted to Seoul National University Hospital from May to September, 2002. The lung cancer group comprised 129 primary lung cancer patients; 116 with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and 13 with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The control group comprised 160 non-malignant pulmonary lung disease patients and 57 healthy adults. A total of 166 twin Monototal and Cyfra 21-1 serum assays were obtained; 76 with lung cancer, 70 with non-malignant pulmonary lung disease and 20 healthy adults. Results : The mean serum value of Monototal was $412.47{\pm}455.45U/L$ in NSCLC, $237.08{\pm}145.15U/L$ in SCLC, $126.54{\pm}95.72U/L$ in non-malignant pulmonary lung disease, and $63.68{\pm}31.66U/L$ in healthy adults. The serum values of the lung cancer groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.01). Using a cut off value of 188U/L, sensitivity and specificity was 66.4% and 81.9% in NSCLC, and 43.8% and 81.9% in SCLC, respectively. The serum levels of CK 8, 18 and 19 were higher in advanced NSCLC than in early stage disease. Conclusion : The serum levels of CK 8, 18 and 19 may be useful in the diagnosis of NSCLC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.247-255
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the radiation protection effect of protaetia brevitarsis larvae extracts known as antioxidant food. In this study 90 female rats were clssified in to 5 groups: NC Group, PBE Group, IR Group, PBE+IR Group and IR+PBE Group. In IR Group, 7 Gy of Co-60 gamma ray was irradiated to SD rat and protaetia brevitarsis larvae extracts were administered orally at 200 mg/kg once a day for 14 days. And then on the 1 day, 7 days, 21 days later after irradiation, changes in blood cell component, superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity, spleen index, histopathological evaluation of the ovary and uterus were observed. As a result, the PBE+IR Group (p<0.01, p<0.05) and IR+PBE Group (p<0.01, p<0.01) showed a significantly radiation protection than the IR Group in lymphocyte and red blood cell on the 21 days. It was also confirmed that SOD activity of PBE+IR Group (p<0.01) and IR+PBE Group (p<0.01) was significantly increased than the IR Group. In spleen index, PBE+IR Group (p<0.05) and IR+PBE Group (p<0.01) showed a significantly recovery than the IR Group. In histopathological observation, PBE+IR Group in the ovary and PBE+IR, IR+PBE Group in the uterus showed less inflammatory reactions of cystoplasm than the IR Group. Based on These results, It is judged that protaetia brevitarsis larvae Extracts have radiation protection effect against blood and reproductive. It is expected to be useful for research of radiation protection agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.631-640
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• 2014

The inhibitory effects of Boswellia serrata (BW) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis were investigated in primary-cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. To identify the protective effects of BW extract against $H_2O_2$ ($800{\mu}M$, 2 hr) in vitro, cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell survival after $H_2O_2$ treatment was elevated by BW extract at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, BW extract treatment significantly reduced and normalized the productions of pro-inflammatory factors, nuclear transcription factor ${\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of chondrocytes with BW extract significantly reduced 5-lipoxygenase activity and production of prostaglandin E2, especially at a concentration of $10{\sim}20{\mu}g/mL$. For the in vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats. Consumption of a diet containing BW extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 35 days significantly inhibited the development and severity of osteoarthritis in rats. To determine the genetic expression of arthritic factors in articular cartilage, real-time PCR was applied to measure matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13), collagen type I, collagen type II, and aggrecan, and BW extract had protective effects at a concentration of 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, BW extract was able to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury. One can consider that BW extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis.