• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1067-1079
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• 2021

The coastal water is a space where salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), critical energy-conveying mediator, stay to adapt to different environments while traveling between ocean and river ecosystems for spawning and growth. The mid-eastern coast of Korea (MECW) is the southern limit of salmon distributed in the North Pacific Ocean. Understanding the distribution and migration characteristics of salmon in the MECW is important for the prediction of changes in the amount and distribution of salmon related to changes in the future marine environment. We analyzed the relationship between the salmon migratory timing ascending the Wangpi river and change in vertical seawater temperature and tidal elevation. Overall results highlight that (1) Salmon began to ascend the river when the sea surface water temperature (SST) decreased below 20℃; (2) The number of salmon ascending the river increased when the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers decreased, but decreased when the temperature difference was higher than 5℃; (3) The number of salmon ascending the river peaked, when the SST was 18℃-19℃ and sea levels rose at high tide. This study provide important insight into predicting changes in the ecosystem energy circulation through climate change at its southern distribution limit.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2022

Cystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor found in many parasites, plays important roles in immune evasion. This study analyzed the molecular characteristics of a cystatin from Fasciola hepatica (FhCystatin) and expressed recombinant FhCystatin (rFhcystatin) to investigate the immune modulatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation, migration, cytokine secretion, nitric oxide (NO) production, and apoptosis in mouse macrophages. The FhCystatin gene encoded 116 amino acids and contained a conserved cystatin-like domain. rFhCystatin significantly inhibited the activity of cathepsin B. rFhCystatin bound to the surface of mouse RAW264.7 cells, significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, rFhCystatin inhibited the expression of cellular nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and promoted the expression of transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-10. These results showed that FhCystatin played an important role in regulating the activity of mouse macrophages. Our findings provide new insights into mechanisms underlying the immune evasion and contribute to the exploration of potential targets for the development of new drug to control F. hepatica infection.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a DNA-derived polymer that promotes self-renewal of damaged cells and tissues as a tissue regeneration active material. PDRN is a DNA fragment cut into small sizes by various physical or chemical methods. When administered to the body, PDRN binds and stimulates the adenosine A2A receptor on the surface of tissue cells to promote cell regeneration, accelerate wound healing, and reduce pain. Although PDRN is prepared from testis or semen of fish in most cass, PDRN extraction from various plants species was performed in the present study. Among 7 tested plant species, the highest DNA yield and purity was obtained form mugwort (Chrysanthemum coronarium, C.c), followed by broccoli (Brassica oleracea, B.o). Then, we evaluated the in vitro wound healing capacity of PDRNs prepared from these two selected plants. PDRN from C.c and B.o. significantly stimulated the wound healing process at ㎍/ml range. The present study suggests that PDRN from plant species can be an effective alternative to PDRN from marine organism.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.432-442
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• 2023

Background Macrophages play a major role in wound healing and prevent infection from the outside. Polarization conversion of macrophages regulates aspects of inflammation, and two macrophages, M1 (classically activated) and M2 (alternatively activated), exist at both ends of broad-spectrum macrophage polarization. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether macrophage polarization can be artificially regulated. To this end, MgSO4 and small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting magnesium transport 1 (MAGT1) were used to investigate the effects of intracellular magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations on the differentiation of macrophages in vitro. Methods THP-1 derived macrophages maintained in a culture medium containing 5 mM MgSO4 and siRNA to inhibit the expression of MAGT1. As comparative groups, THP-1 derived macrophages polarized into M1 and M2 macrophages by treatment with M1, M2 inducer cytokine. The polarization status of each group of cells was confirmed by cell surface antigen expression and cytokine secretion. Results We found that MgSO4 treatment increased CD163 and CD206, similar to the effect noted in the M2 group. The expression of CD80 and HLA-DR was increased in the group treated with MAGT1 siRNA, similar to the effect noted in the M1 group. Functional assays demonstrated that the group treated with MgSO4 secreted higher levels of IL-10, whereas the MAGT1 siRNA-treated group secreted higher levels of IL-6 cytokines. Additionally, the conditional medium of the Mg2+ treated group showed enhanced migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Conclusion Mg2+ can help to end the delay in wound healing caused by persistent inflammation in the early stages.

• Hanyang Medical Reviews
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2013

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) play a significant role in providing T cell help to B cells during the germinal center reaction, where somatic hypermutation, affinity maturation, isotype class switching, and the differentiation of memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells occur. Antigen-specific T cells with IL-6 and IL-21 upregulate CXCR5, which is required for the migration of T cells into B cell follicles, where these T cells mature into Tfh. The surface markers including PD-1, ICOS, and CD40L play a significant role in providing T cell help to B cells. The upregulation of transcription factor Bcl-6 induces the expression of CXCR5, which is an important factor for Tfh differentiation, by inhibiting the expression of other lineage-specific transcription factors such as T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt. Surprisingly, recent evidence suggests that CD4 T cells already committed to Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells obtain flexibility in their differentiation programs by downregulating T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt, upregulating Bcl-6 and thus convert into Tfh. Limiting the numbers of Tfh within germinal centers is important in the regulation of the autoantibody production that is central to autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was revealed that the germinal center reaction and the size of the Tfh population are also regulated by thymus-derived follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) expressing CXCR5 and Foxp3. Dysregulation of Tfh appears to be a pathogenic cause of autoimmune disease suggesting that tight regulation of Tfh and germinal center reaction by Tfr is essential for maintaining immune tolerance. Therefore, the balance between Tfh and Tfr appears to be a critical peripheral tolerance mechanism that can inhibit autoimmune disorders.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.221-227
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• 2023

The vertical distribution of snow crab Chionoecetes spp. larvae in the East Sea were investigated in April 2021 using the Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS). The water temperature ranged from 0.86 to 17.2℃, and salinity from 34.0 to 34.7 psu. Zoea I and II occurred range from 29 to 1,982 inds.10³ m^-3 at 10 stations, and range from 4 to 11 inds.10³ m^-3 at 3 stations, separately. Therefore, Zoea I occurred in wider area and higher density than Zoea II at all stations. In the vertical distribution of larvae, all zoeal stages were mainly distributed in the 30-40 m strata, and the larvae showed nocturnal vertical migration similar to that of most zooplankton. Zoea I appeared in the range from 13.7 to 15.8℃ and occurred at the highest density of 1982 inds.10³ m^-3 at 14℃. And Zoea II appeared range from 13.4 to 14.5℃ and occurred in the highest density of 11 inds.10³ m^-3 at 13.4℃. In conclusion, the early larval stage (zoea I) occurred at a higher range of sea surface temperature than later larval stage (zoea II).

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine the effects of relative humidity and fiber properties on the moisture permeability of multilayer systems by measuring water vapor transmission in the overlapping condition of various fabrics. The results confirmed that the property of the fabric in contact with the humid environment affects the moisture permeability. If the layer facing the humid environment is hydrophobic and the layer facing the dry environment is superhydrophobic, water vapor transmission increases by up to 17.8% compared to the opposite conditions. Comparing the correction values of the water vapor transmission reflecting the thickness of the specimen under the multilayer condition showed that permeability was higher when the hydrophilic or hydrophobic layer was facing the humid environment. The opposite was true from the "push-pull" effect of absorption mechanism. In the case of moisture permeability, the more hydrophilic the surface facing the humid environment, the more permeable that water vapor diffuses and passes through. It was concluded that the "pull-push" effect, in which water vapor diffuses widely through the hydrophilic facing a humid environment and then passes through the hydrophobic layer, contributes to the improvement of permeability. Permeability differed according to the multilayer overlapping condition. When the relative humidity was high, the "pull-push" effect was insignificant. This is caused by water droplets absorption after the partial migration of water due to condensation. These results suggest that the overlapping conditions and properties of fabrics should vary depending on heavy sweating or not.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.640-647
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• 2023

The skin, the largest organ in the body, undergoes age-related changes influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The primary external factor is photoaging which causes hyperpigmentation, uneven skin surface, deep wrinkles, and markedly enlarged capillaries. In the human dermis, it decreases fibroblast function, resulting in a lack of collagen structure and also decreases keratinocyte function, which compromises the strength of the protective barrier. In this study, we found that treatment with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) had no toxicity to skin fibroblasts and GABA enhanced their migration ability, which can accelerate skin wound healing. UVB radiation was found to significantly induce the production of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), but treatment with GABA resulted in the inhibition of MMP-1 production. We also investigated the enhancement of filaggrin and aquaporin 3 in keratinocytes after treatment with GABA, showing that GABA can effectively improve skin moisturization. In vivo experiments showed that oral administration of GABA significantly improved skin wrinkles and epidermal thickness. After the intake of GABA, there was a significant decrease observed in the increase of skin thickness measured by calipers and erythema. Additionally, the decrease in skin moisture and elasticity in hairless mice exposed to UVB radiation was also significantly restored. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of GABA as functional food material for improving skin aging and moisturizing.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.19
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• 2021

Macrophages are important for the first line of defense against microbial pathogens. Integrin CD11b, which is encoded by Itgam, is expressed on the surface of macrophages and has been implicated in adhesion, migration, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. However, the functional impact of CD11b on the inflammatory responses of macrophages upon microbial infection remains unclear. Here, we show that CD11b deficiency resulted in increased susceptibility to sepsis induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection by enhancing the pro-inflammatory activities of macrophages. Upon infection with MRSA, the mortality of Itgam knockout mice was significantly higher than that of control mice, which is associated with increased production of TNF-α and IL-6. In response to MRSA, both bone marrow-derived macrophages and peritoneal macrophages lacking CD11b produced elevated amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide. Moreover, CD11b deficiency upregulated IL-4-induced expression of anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 and arginase-1, and an immunomodulatory function of macrophages to restrain T cell activation. Biochemical and confocal microscopy data revealed that CD11b deficiency augmented the activation of NF-κB signaling and phosphorylation of Akt, which promotes the functional activation of macrophages with pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory phenotypes, respectively. Overall, our experimental evidence suggests that CD11b is a critical modulator of macrophages in response to microbial infection.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2_spc
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• pp.305-315
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• 2020

For geological disposal of radioactive wastes, a method was proposed to evaluate the radionuclide transport in the biosphere by calculating the elapsed time of nuclide migration. The radionuclides were supposed to be introduced from a natural barrier and reached a large surface water body following a groundwater flow in a shallow subsurface. The biosphere was defined as a shallow subsurface environment that included aquifers on a host rock. Using the proposed method, a calculation algorithm was established, and a computer code that implemented the algorithm was developed. The developed code was verified by comparing the simulation results of the simple cases with the results of the analytical solution and a public program, which has been widely used to evaluate the radiation dose using the radionuclide transport near the surface. A case study was constructed using the previous research for radionuclide transport from the hypothetical geological disposal repository. In the case study, the code calculated the mass discharge rate of radionuclide to a stream in the biosphere. Because the previous research only demonstrated the transport of radionuclides from the hypothetical repository to the host rock, the developed code in the present study could help identify the total transport of radionuclide along the complete pathway.