• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.793-825
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• 1999

For the development of drugs for alzheimer,s disease, the study was done to review the oriental pathology, clinical data, recent trends for research and strategy for future study. The results were as follows: 1. The medical term Chi-dsi implying alzheimer,s disease was referred for the first time in a medical book, Hwatasheneubijeon written by Hwa-Ta and its differentiation and treatment were studied more in Ming or Ching dynasties. Chi-dai can be differentated as weak(虛) syndrome and Shi(實) syndrome. This can be caused by deficiencies of renal Yin, renal Yang, cardiac Yin and hepatic blood, while that by deficiencies of pathological fluid(痰飮) and clotted blood(瘀血). 2. Dementia can be roughly classified as alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct disease. Its causes were known to be cholinergic transmitter, C-peptide, amyloid-${\beta}$, apolipoprotein, APP(amyloid precursor protein), TGF, MMP-9 and free radical. 3. In Korea experimental studies were chiefly done for the elimataion of C-peptide, amyloid-${\beta}$, apolipoprotein, APP for alzheimer's disease, for the development of drug inhibiting degerative change following CVA and loss of memory and also administrative measure was done by support of government. 4. Drugs of dimentia developed so far were Chi-Dai dan, extracts from aloe, mushroom, green tea, Ganoderma and also folic acid, vitamin C, DHEA and silk amino acid were reported to be effective in dimenta. 5. Future strategic research had better be done on dementia-inducing factors such as acetylcholine, C-peptide, amyloid-${\beta}$, apolipoprotein, APP, TGF, MMP-9 and free radical, development of animal model for dimentia, clinical study, epidemiology, nursing and administrative studies and also consortium for dimentia research should be formed so that repeated investment be avoided.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.680-686
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• 2010

Silk sericin protein was hydrolyzed by seven proteolytic enzymes in order to examine the effectiveness of the hydrolysates in binding calcium. The amino acid nitrogen content of hydrolysates from Flavourzyme was higher than that for other enzymes, and its calcium binding capacity showed a dose-dependent increase. We examined the effects of calcium binding peptide from sericin hydolysates on the bioavailability of Ca-deficient rats. Three-week-old male rats were fed an Ca-deficient diet for three weeks. Rats were divided into four groups (DD: non-treated group on calcium deficient diet; DD+MC: milk-calcium treated group; DD+OC: organic calcium made using sericin hydolysates; and DD+IC: inorganic calcium ($CaCl_2$). After oral administration of calcium supplements for one week, the calcium content of the serum and liver were significantly higher in DD+OC ($101.7{\mu}g$/mL and $49.3{\mu}g$/mL) and DD+MC ($83.6{\mu}g$/mL and $42.8{\mu}g$/mL) than DD ($86.3{\mu}g$/mL and $43.4{\mu}g$/mL). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) content in the treated groups was significantly lower than DD, but no significant difference among groups was shown. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels did not show any significant difference between groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly reduced compared to the DD group. In conclusion, binding calcium to peptides from sericin hydrolysates seems to improve its bioavailability, and to hasten the cure of calcium deficiency in experimental rats.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives: Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder, which is characterized by proteinuria, edema (swelling), and hyperlipidemia. Maydis Stigma (Corn silk) has been widely used in Asia as a traditional medicine and is known to have a diuretic effect and is used for the treatment of edema and indigestion. Methods: The aim of this study is to investigate the improvement effect of Maydis Stigma in treating nephrotic syndrome induced by puromycin aminonucleoside. Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with 75 mg/kg/day puromycin aminonucleoside, then treated with either Losartan or 200 mg/kg/day Maydis Stigma for seven days. Results: Maydis Stigma significantly decreased ascites and proteinuria level. Plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine reduced significantly by Maydis Stigma. In addition, treatment with Maydis Stigma attenuated histological damage. Treatment with Maydis Stigma also restored podocin expression and reduced inflammation markers such as intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). Conclusions: Maydis Stigma ameliorates kidney injury in nephrotic syndrome rat models. Maydis Stigma exerts a renoprotective effect owing to its anti-inflammatory effects and reductions of ascites and proteinuria. Thus, these results indicate that Maydis Stigma is likely to be a promising agent in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2022

Bombyx shini Park & Sohn, 2002 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), which was listed as an endemic species in South Korea has recently been renamed as the East Asian silk moth Rotunda rotundapex Miyata & Kishida, 1990 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the R. rotundapex to announce genomic characteristics and to clarify its validity with a new name. The 15,294-bp long complete mitogenome comprises a typical set of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes] and one major noncoding, A + T-rich region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran mitogenomes. The A/T content of the whole mitogenome was 79.22%; however, it varied among the regions/genes as follows: A + T-rich region, 91.62%; srRNA, 84.67%; lrRNA, 83.01%; tRNAs, 81.43%; and PCGs, 77.46%. Phylogenetic analyses of 35 species in the Bombycoidea superfamily showed the sister relationship between the families Sphingidae and Bombycidae s. str., with the higher nodal support [bootstrap support (BS) = 78%]. The Saturniidae was placed as the sister to the two families, but the nodal support for this relationship was low (BS = 53%). Current R. rotundapex was placed together with previously reported con-species with the highest nodal support, forming a separate clade from Bombyx, validating that B. shini can have a new genus name, Rotunda. However, the Korean R. rotundapex showed a substantial sequence divergence at 5.28% to that originated from an individual of type locality Taiwan in 1,459-bp of COI sequences. Considering such a high sequence divergence an additional study, which includes morphological and DNA barcoding data from further extensive distributional range maybe is needed for further robust taxonomic conclusion.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of climate change on the growth characteristics and dry matter yields of silage corn hybrids in fields of forage crops of Hanwoo Experiment Station, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, from Apr. 2009 to Sep. 2011. Corn hybrids were cultivated in Daegwallyeong of Gangwon Province, at an altitude of 760 m. Corn varieties used in this study consisted of 5 domestic varieties and 5 foreign varieties. Differences of silk days according to years occurred at an average of 5.5 days. The silk periods of domestic varieties occurred from Aug. 8 to 12, while that of overseas varieties was from Aug. 5 to 11. Silk days of domestic varieties occurred approximately 3 to 4 days earlier than those of oversea varieties. Silk days of Kwangpyeongok and P3156 belonging to the early varieties were Aug. 8 and 5, respectively. Kwangpyeongok and P3156 were Aug. 8 and 5, respectively. Pyeonganok and DK729 belonged to late varieties. The mean plant height of corn was approximately 231 cm, while those of Kwangpyeongok and Pyeonganok were 236 cm and 237 cm, respectively. The mean stem diameter and ear height of corn were approximately 23.2 mm and 94 cm, respectively. In the case of stem diameters, those of Cheonganok and 33J56 were 86 cm and 80 cm, respectively, while Gangdaok grew to a greater height (enter height) than other varieties. Dry matter yields of Kwangpyeongok and Pyeonganok were higher than those of other varieties. The mean leaf ratio of corn was 39.3%, while that of domestic varieties increased as compared to foreign varieties. The average DM yield of corn was 16,653 kg/ha, while those of 32P75, P3156, Pyeonganok, P3394 and Kwangpyeongok were 18,901, 17,997, 17,675, 17,194, 17,188 kg/ha, respectively. Total digestible nutrient (TDN) yields of 32P75, P3156, P3394, Pyeonganok and Kwangpyeongok were 13,381, 12,590, 12,532, 12,140 and 12,036 kg/ha, respectively. Corn crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and TDN were 7.8%, 74.2%, 42.4%, 23.5% and 70.3%, respectively. In the case of nutritive values of corn, there was no significant difference between of corn varieties of domestic and foreign origin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1249-1253
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• 2010

Sericin is a type of high molecular weight water-soluble glycoprotein surrounding fibroin (silk protein) that has been used as a cell culture supplement and accelerates cell proliferation in various serum-free media. The purpose of this study was to investigate the enhancing effect of thyroglobulin (Tg) secretion by sericin in thyrocytes, FRTL-5 cells. While Tg-mRNA expression was not enhanced, a secreted form of Tg was obviously increased by sericin. In this status, expression of both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperones (Bip & calreticulin) and ER membrane proteins (IRE1, PERK & ATF6) was enhanced. The proximal step of IRE1, XBP1 mRNA splicing was slightly detected however, the proximal step of PERK, phosphorylation of $eIF2{\alpha}$, was changeless. In addition, sericin enhanced cell viability by the MTT assay. The above results showing the ability of sericin to promote protein production demonstrated its potential usefulness as a new biomaterial.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.721-726
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• 2016

It has already been reported that short neuropeptide F (sNPF) stimulates feeding behaviors in a wide variety of insect species. In the present study, we cloned cDNA, encoding a sNPF receptor homologue from a silkworm, Bombyx mori, named BsNPF-R. The amino acid sequence of BsNPF-R was compared with those of sNPF-R thus far reported, which is shared with humans (36%), mice (34%), zebrafish (35%), and fruit flies (51%), respectively. A BsNPF-R protein’s mass was theoretically estimated to be 42,731 Da and it is a putative plasma membrane-penetrating protein. The mRNA expression of BsNPF-R was tested; the results showed that a strong expression was detected at the midgut, post-silk gland, Malpighian, and testis; however, a weak expression was at the fat body, hemocyte, and ovary. In addition, the synthesized sNPF of a silkworm regulated the BsNPF-R mRNA expression through the cell-based functional analysis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2020

Objective : The aim of present study was to clarify the effect of Areca Semen and Toosendan Fructus Mixture (AT-mix) on chronic reflux esophagitis (CRE) in rats. Methods : The antioxidant activity of AT-mix was measured through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities in vitro. CRE was induced in SD rats (5 weeks, male) by ligating the border forestomach and granular portion with 2-0 silk and the duodenum near the pyloric portion was covered with 2-mm wide piece of 18-Fr Nélaton catheter. And then rats were treated AT-mix 200 mg/kg one daily for 14 days. The anti-oxidant and inflammatory protein levels were evaluated using western blotting. Results : Gross lesion of esophageal mucosa after AT-mix treatment showed a superior enhancement compared with that of CRE control rats. AT-mix treatment strongly reduced both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities (DPPH, IC₅₀ 8.15±0.14 ㎍/mL; ABTS, IC₅₀ 24.69±0.03 ㎍/mL, repspectively). Levels of the NADPH oxidase subunit including NOX4 and p22^phox increased in CRE control rats. Otherwise, AT-mix treatment significantly reduced. The activation of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) led to significantly the up-regulation of HO-1. The inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation led to NF-κB inactivation. Subsequently, NF-κB inactivation significantly induced the decrease of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 protein expressions. Conclusion : Taken together, these results suggest that AT-mix treatment can attenuate the esophageal mucosal ulcer though inhibiting NF-κB pathway and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Thus, the additional mechanism study about AT-mix would need for the development as a safe herbal therapy for CRE.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.392-399
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of corn silks. Pollination of corn silks was finished within three days after silking, and elongation of open pollinated corn silks was stopped, but unpollinated silks elongated until eight days after silking. Moisture contents of corn silks were about 92-94% at silking stage, but continuously decreased. these were about 70-75% at 30 days after silking. Chlorophyll b was higher than chlorophyll a in corn silks, and chlorophyll a/b ratios of four hybrids were high in this order : silage ＞ sweet ＞ super sweet ＞ waxy corn. Free sugars in corn silks were mainly fructose, glucose and maltose. Their composition rate was 55% of glucose, 42% of fructose and 4% of maltose. Water soluble solid (Brix %) contents of unpollinated corn silks were ranged from 13.7 to 16.8 Brix % and pollinated corn silks were from 12.6 to 13.7 Brix %. Phytic, oxalic, malic. shikimic, glutaric and acetic acid were detected on corn silks. Phytic, oxalic and glutaric acid were considered as a major organic acids in corn silks. Amino acids in corn silks were high in this order : waxy ＞ silage ＞ sweet ＞sweet corn. Serine, glycine and thereoine were contained more than 10%, and five amino acids such as aspartic, glutaric, arginine, alanine and proline were ranged about 5 to 8%. Methionine and cystine, amino acids containing sulfur were contained only small quantity as about 2.1% and 1.3%, respectively. Acetaldehyde, ethanol, acetone, DMS, isobutylaldehyde, cis-3-hexanol, 3-hexe-1-ol, acetate, trans-2-hexanol and pentanol were detected as the volatile components in corn silks, but acetaldehyde and DMS were major volitiles in silage corn silks, and acetaldehyde, ethanol and DMS were major volitiles in waxy corn silks. The length of corn silks was a positively correlated with organic acids (r=${0.556}^*$), and a negatively correlated with amino acids (r=${-0.514}^*$), respectively. Free sugars were positively correlated with all characteristics tested and significantly correlated with organic acid (r=TEX>${0.703}^{**}$), and flavonoids (r=TEX>${0.544}^*$). Chlorophyll was significantly correlated with flavonoid contents (r=TEX>${0.523}^*$). For this reason chlorophyll was evaluated as an indirect selection character for the high flavonoid containing varieties.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2020

Iron oxide nanoparticles were microencapsulated using fibroin, a protein polymer of silk fiber, for theragnostic applications. The content of iron oxide was determined to be 4.28% by thermogravimetric analysis and 5.11% by magnetometer. A suspension of murine fibroblast 3T3 cells grown in medium supplemented with iron oxide-microcapsules turned clear in response to the magnetic force and the cells aggregated to the magnet direction. Neodymium magnets placed on the top of the culture dish, and attracted cells to the center of the culture surface. The cells collected on the culture surface aggregated to form a rough spheroid of 2 mm in a diameter after 72 h. In the outer layer of the cell aggregate, cells were relatively large and gathered together to form a dense tissue, but the central part was observed to undergo cell death due to the mass transfer restriction. In the outer layer, iron oxide-microcapsules were lined up like chains in the direction of magnetic force. Using microCT, it was demonstrated that the iron oxides inside the cell aggregate were not evenly distributed but biased to the magnetic direction.