• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2016

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, and its pathogenesis is complex and has not yet been fully elucidated. Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism is key to understanding the pathogenesis of DN, which can develop in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A hallmark of this disease is the accumulation of glucose and lipids in renal cells, resulting in oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, intracellular hypoxia, and inflammation, eventually leading to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that dysregulation of 50 adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that plays a principal role in cell growth and cellular energy homeostasis, in relevant tissues is a key component of the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus; thus, targeting this enzyme may ameliorate some pathologic features of this disease. AMPK regulates the coordination of anabolic processes, with its activation proven to improve glucose and lipid homeostasis in insulin-resistant animal models, as well as demonstrating mitochondrial biogenesis and antitumor activity. In this review, we discuss new findings regarding the role of AMPK in the pathogenesis of DN and offer suggestions for feasible clinical use and future studies of the role of AMPK activators in this disorder.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2002

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is remarkably efficient at establishing chronic infection. One of the reasons for this appears to be the suppression of the accessory cell function of professional antigen presenting cells. In the present study, the immunosuppressive activity of HCV protein was examined on dendritic cells (DCs) generated from mouse bone marrow progenitor cells in vitro. We found that the DCs forced to express HCV protein have defective allostimulatory ability. DCs expressing HCV protein were phenotypically indistinguishable from normal DCs. However, they were unable to produce IL-12 effectively when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The functional domain of the HCV protein essential for immunosuppression was determined using a series of ${NH_2}-and$ C-terminal deletion mutants of HCV core protein. We found that amino acid residues residing between the 21 st and the 40th residues from the ${NH_2}-terminus$ of HCV core protein are required for immunosuppression. These findings suggest that HCV core protein suppresses the elicitation of protective Th1 responses by the inhibition of IL-12 production by DCs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-177
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• 2008

Objectives : Crohn's disease is a severe chronic inflammation that is treated mainly by immunosuppression, which often has serious side effects. There is need to develop new therapeutic methods or drugs that have few side effects in order to treat this disease. Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at Cheonchu (ST25) has anti-inflammatory properties, but the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory actions is unclear. We investigated the protective effects and speculated the mechanisms of acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in mice which is a well known Crohn's disease animal model. Methods : 5 % TNBS was treated at day 1 and day 7 into rectum of mice. To investigate therapeutic effects of acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25, acupuncture was carried out on day 3, and day 6. For the data analysis, we observed macroscopic and microscopic findings of the colon. Weight and width of the colon, degree of damage, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity were checked. For analysing protein expression, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. For analysing mRNA expression, RT-PCR was carried out. Results : TNBS induced damages on the colon of mice, while acupuncture of Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed TNBS mediated damages similar to those on the colons of mice in the control (not treated with TNBS) group. The average body weight of TNBS treated mice (77.4%) was decreased compared with that of the control mice (105%), and acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed the loss of body weight caused by TNBS (from 77.4% to 95.3%). TNBS induced infiltration of immune cells in all layers of the colon while acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed infiltration of immune cells caused by TNBS. Furthermore, acupunctured with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed macro-, micro- colonic damages caused by TNBS. Acupunctured with Moxi-tar at ST25 dramatically improved the clinical and histopathological symptoms such as the increase in weight of the distal colon and the MPO activity in TNBS-induced colitis. Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 down-regulated the nuclear transcription factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activity and suppressed tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions caused by TNBS. Conclusions : Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 helps recovery from the TNBS-induced colonic damage by down-regulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity and suppressing of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and ICAM-1 expressions. This may be an important method for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2022

Background: Neutrophilic asthma (NeuA) is usually resistant to corticosteroids. Tiotropium bromide (TIO) is a bronchodilator that is used as an add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β2 agonist in asthma treatment. However, the role of TIO in NeuA is not fully known. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TIO on NeuA compared to that of corticosteroids. Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were sensitized with ovalbumin and lipopolysaccharide to induce neutrophilic inflammation. Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered on days 14, 17, 20, and 23. TIO was inhaled on days 21, 21, and 23. On day 24, mice were sacrificed. Airway hyper-responsiveness, levels of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung homogenates, and lung tissue histopathology were compared between the two groups. Results: Neutrophil counts, T helper 2 cells (T_H2)/T_H17 cytokines, and pro-inflammatory cytokine in BAL fluids were elevated in the NeuA group. TIO group showed lower total cells, neutrophil counts, and eosinophil counts in BAL fluids than the DEX group (p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.001, respectively). Airway resistance was attenuated in the TIO group but elevated in the NeuA group (p<0.001). Total protein, interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-17A levels in BAL fluids were lower in the TIO group than in the NeuA group (all p<0.05). Conclusion: TIO showed more potent effects than DEX in improving airway inflammation and attenuating airway resistance in NeuA.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.258-267
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between energy intake and fatigue in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 106 subjects had participated in this study. Data were collected at a university hospital in D city from September 1st to November 10th, 2010. Energy intake including carbohydrates, protein and fat was measured by scale and analyzed using Can Pro 3.0 program. Fatigue level was measured by the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS/WIN 15.0. Results: The mean calorie intake during chemotherapy was $906.53{\pm}201.28Kcal/day$ which was 45.3% of the recommended daily calorie intake. The mean of protein intake level was $43.62{\pm}11.13g/day$, and it was low compared to the recommended daily protein intake. Calories, carbohydrates, and protein levels on 3rd day after chemotherapy were significantly lower than those of 2nd day after chemotherapy (p<.001). The fatigue level during chemotherapy was $5.77{\pm}0.77$ which was moderate level of fatigue. There was a significant negative interrelation between energy intake and fatigue. Conclusion: Theses results suggested that nursing approaches to encourage dietary intake may be helpful to reduce fatigue for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 1980

The concentration of total protein during the metamorphosis of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella $H\ddot{u}bner$ was measured using micro-Kjeldahl method by Oser(1965). Healthy specimens were chosen as samples at each developmental stages: the 1st instar larva, the 3rd inster larva, final instar larva, pupae 2, 6, 10 days and the adult 1 day. The total protein concentration decreased gradually until the two day pupal stage and increased at the six day pupal stage. In the one day dault stage, the concentration reached a maximum. In conclusion, changes of total protein concentation through the course of the physiological cycle form a U-shaped curve when graphed against the histolysis of larval organs and the histogenesis of adult organs. In view of controlling pest, the U-shaped pattern of physiological activity indicates that control will be the most effective at the time of the most physiological weakness manifested at the two day pupal stage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2012

Bacterial wilt (brown rot) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) is one of the most devastating bacterial plant diseases in potatoes. To isolate bacterial wilt disease resistance-related genes from the potato, the StACRE (HM749652) gene was isolated and a sequenced search was performed using functional orthologs of Solanaceae from potatoes. StACRE is homologous to the tobacco NtACRE 132 protein and belongs to the ATL family involved in ubiquitination. To analyze the expression pattern of this gene, RT-PCR was performed with potato treated with salicylic acid (SA) and Rs (KACC 10722). StACRE was strongly induced 3 hours after treatment with SA and 12 hours after infection with Rs. To investigate its biological functions in the potato, we constructed a vector for overexpression in the potato by the Gateway system, and then generated transgenic potato plants. The gene expression of transgenic potato was analyzed by northern blot analysis. In the results of disease resistance assay in relation to bacterial wilt, StACRE overexpressed transgenic potato plants were shown to have more resistance than wild-type potato.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2003

An isolate of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was isolated from potato cultivar ‘Chubak’ showing vein clearing and mild mosaic at Namhae in Korea. This isolate, TMV-St, was differentiated from other tobamoviruses based on biological properties, serological relationships and nucleotide sequence analyses of coat protein genes. TMV-St caused typical symptoms on four indicator plants as compared to the tobamovirus of TMV-U1, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), which caused economic losses in Solanaceous vegetables, tomato, pepper, and eggplant. Remarkably, the TMV-St induced distinctly different symptom of systemic chlorotic spots on Chenophodium murale. On C. murale, Gomphorena globosa, and Nic-otiana rustica, the four viruses were classed by the virulence of systemic or local infections. In serological test TMV-St antiserum showed a precipitation line with each other tabamovirus. The CP gene of TMV-St contain 477 nucleotides, and the nucleotides sequence was the most similar to that of TMV-U1.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.409-413
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• 1999

The cDNA encoding CMP-NeuAc:lactosylceramide ${\alpha}2$,3-sialyltransferase (GM3 synthase) was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library using sequence information obtained from amino acid sequences found in the conserved regions of the previously-cloned mouse GM3 synthase (mST3Gal V) and human sialyltransferases. The cDNA sequence included an open reading frame coding for 362 amino acids, and the primary structure of this enzyme predicted all the structural features characteristic of other sialyltransferases, including a type II membrane protein topology and both sialylmotifs. Comparative analysis of this cDNA with mST3Gal V showed 85% and 86% identity of the nucleotide and amino acid residues, respectively. The expression of this gene is highly restricted in both human fetal and adult tissues.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the postmortem changes in physico-chemical characteristics of chicken meat with different breeds. Thigh and breast meats from Korean Native Chicken(KNC, 15-wk old), Wangchoo(15-wk old), and broiler(7-wk old) were stored at 5 ˚C. Differences in postmortem pH changes were not recognized among breeds, and pH showed by the lowest value at the 1st day of postmortem in all breeds. Breast meat had tendency to drop pH faster than thigh meat. Heme pigment contents showed no differences among breeds. KNC showed the lowest cholesterol contents in all breeds, total collagen contents showed the lowest value at the 1st day of postmortem, and thereafter it was gradually increased. Heat soluble collagen contents was lowest in Wangchoo. Water soluble and salt soluble protein showed the lowest extractability at the 1st day of storage. Broiler showed the highest extractability of these proteins and Wangchoo showed the lowest. Water holding capacity(WHC) had increasing tendency whilst cooking loss had decreasing tendency by the ageing. WHC of breast and thigh meat showed the highest values in KNC and broiler, respectively. Myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) was significantly increased in all breeds by the ageing. Breast and thigh meat showed almost same MFI in KNC and broiler, and in KNC and Wangchoo, respectively. Hardness of breast meat showed decreasing tendency by the ageing.