• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.833-840
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• 2014

Cullin4-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL4) is a family of multi-subunit E3 ligases. To investigate the possible involvement of CRL4 in heat stress response, we screened T-DNA insertion mutants of putative CRL4 substrate receptors that exhibited altered patterns in response to heat stress. One of the mutants exhibited heat stress tolerance and was named heat stress tolerant DWD1 (htd1). Introduction of HTD1 gene into htd1-1 led to recovery of heat sensitivity to the wild type level, confirming that the decrease of HTD1 transcripts resulted in heat tolerance. Therefore, HTD1 plays a negative role in thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Additionally, HTD1 directly interacted with DDB1a in yeast two-hybrid assays and associated with DDB1b in vivo, supporting that it could be a part of a CRL4 complex. Various heat-inducible genes such as HSP14.7, HSP21, At2g03020 and WRKY28 were hyper-induced in htd1-1, indicating that HTD1 could function as a negative regulator for the expression of such genes and that these genes might contribute to thermotolerance of htd1-1, at least in part. HTD1 was associated with HSP90-1, a crucial regulator of thermotolerance, in vivo, even though the decrease of HTD1 did not affect the accumulation pattern of HSP90-1 in Arabidopsis. These findings indicate that a negative role of HTD1 in thermotolerance might be achieved through its association with HSP90-1, possibly by disturbing the action of HSP90-1, not by the degradation of HSP90-1. This study will serve as an important step toward understanding of the functional connection between CRL4-mediated processes and plant heat stress signaling.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.466-475
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• 2017

Dietary supplements have exhibited myriads of positive health effects on human health conditions and with the advent of new technological advances, including in the fields of proteomics, genomics, and metabolomics, biological and pharmacological activities of dietary supplements are being evaluated for their ameliorative effects in human ailments. Recent interests in understanding and discovering the molecular targets of phytochemical-gene-protein-metabolite dynamics resulted in discovery of a few protein signature candidates that could potentially be used to assess the effects of dietary supplements on human health. Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is a folk medicine, commonly used as dietary supplement in China, Japan, and South Korea, owing to its different beneficial health effects including anti-diabetic implications. However, neither mechanism of action nor molecular biomarkers have been discovered that could either validate or be used to evaluate effects of persimmon on human health. In present study, Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic studies were accomplished to discover proteomic molecular signatures that could be used to understand therapeutic potentials of persimmon leaf extract (PLE) in diabetes amelioration. Saliva, serum, and urine samples were analyzed and we propose that salivary proteins can be used for evaluating treatment effectiveness and in improving patient compliance. The present discovery proteomics study demonstrates that salivary proteomic profile changes were found as a result of PLE treatment in prediabetic subjects that could specifically be used as potential protein signature candidates.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.137-153
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• 2003

Comparison shopping is the most popular functionality in the e-Marketplace. Most of their revenue has been generated kent the Internet advertisement, but the ad earning was declined as the ad costing per action method widespread. Seller less familiar to the customer shrinks from chances for advertising and exposing their products. So, we need an efficient methodology subject to the seller's ad budget and other constraints, and it also has to increase comparison broker's earning in the e-Marketplace. Our research proposed and developed an ad planning methodology using comparison challenge approach which can be applied by 3$^{rd}$ party comparison brokers. Comparison challenge planning is organized with challenge policy of competitor level, product level and specification level. With that policies and basic challenge propositions, we measure the quantified value of functional distance between the specifications of my product and competitor's product. My product challenges the comparison using the comparative ad format to the similar but inferior competitor's product based on quantified valuation. Comparison challenge planning system has two phases of comparative value generation and optimization. We developed a prototype system and applied it to the desktop PC market of five major manufacturers. Our performance was emphasized by comparing to other comparative ad methods such as random display method and minimum distance method..

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.164-170
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• 2007

The concept of innate immunity in insects which refers to the first line of host defense constitutes the humoral and cellular components which are involved in recognition and actively participate in the elimination of the intruding foreign micro- or macro-organisms. Several recent studies suggest that juvenile hormone (JH) modulates the cellular immune reactions in response to pathogen. In this study, pyriproxyfen (a JH agonist as an insect growth regulator) was tested in its any inhibitory effect on the immune reactions of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. To this end, five different hemocyte morphotypes of final instar S. exigua were identified by phase contrast microscopy. Plasmatocytes and granular cells, which constitute about 90% of the total hemocyte count, were prominently distinguished based on their basophilic/acidophilic nature using Giemsa stain. The role of pyriproxyfen on the functional ability of hemocytes was analyzed using FITC-labeled Providencia vermicola for the phagocytic potential of the hemocytes. Both granular cells and plasmatocytes exhibited phagocytosis behavior. Pyriproxyfen significantly inhibited the phagocytosis of both cell types, proposing its novel action as an immunosuppressant.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.107-118
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigated the effect of Yijin-tang on gastric motility and its mechanism of action in normal intact and partial pyloric obstructed rats. Methods : Gastric emptying was measured by the number of glass beads expelled from the stomach (containing one hundred of glass beads. ${\phi}1mm$) in 1 hour or 2 hours after glass beads and test drugs (normal saline. Yijin-tang 90mg/kg. Yijin-tang 270mg/kg) administration in normal intact and partial pyloric obstructed rats. In another series of experiments to evaluate the mechanism of Yijin-tang 270mg/kg under delayed conditions, normal intact rats were treated with atropine sulfate (1mg/kg,s.c.), cisplatin (10mg/kg,i.p.), quinpirole HCI (0.3mg/kg,i.p.) and NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. 75mg/ kg,s.c.), respectively. Partial pyloric obstructed rats were modified by wrapping the nonabsorbable rubber ring (D :6mm, W:4mm, T: 1mm) around the 1st portion of the duodenum for 8 weeks. The myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle was recorded by a bipolar electrode placed at the abdominal surface in normal intact and partial pyloric obstructed rats. The gastric myoelectrical activity was measured for 30 minutes before and after orogastric administration of each solution (normal saline, Yijin-tang 270mg/kg) and expressed as dominant frequency, percent of normogastria and power ratio. Results : Yijin-tang improved gastric emptying more than normal saline in normal intact(p<0.001) and partial pyloric obstructed rats(p=0.002). Under the delayed gastric emptying induced by atropine sulfate, cisplatin, quinpirole HCI and NAME. Yijin-tang enhanced gastric emptying significantly in the cisplatin treated group(p<0.001). but didn't in other treated groups. Administration of Yijin-tang 270mg/kg has no significant effect on the myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle in both normal intact rats and partial pyloric obstructed rats. Conclusions : Yijin-tang seems to stimulate the gastric motility through suppressing the 5HT3 receptor and promoting the antroduodenal flow. We expect that Yijin-tang would be effective especially in dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia with partial pyloric obstruction or the side effects of cisplatin such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and delay of gastric emptying.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of 1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to $319.3{\pm}65.9%$ as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 ${\mu}M$ each), significantly inhibited 1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI-1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or recovery from addiction.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in muscle thickness and ground reaction force of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateral oblique muscles during squats at ankle angles of toe 0°, toe in 10°, and toe out 10°. Methods: In this study, 9 male and 17 female students in their 20s participated in a randomized controlled trial and were compared according to the ankle angles of toe 0°, toe in 10°, and toe out 10°. To determine the reliability and measurement of muscle thickness according to ankle angle using ultrasound equipment and muscle thickness, the participants' ankle angles-toe 0°, toe in 10°, and toe out 10°-were measured three times at the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis oblique muscles during squats. At the same time, the maximum vertical ground reaction force was measured with a force plate. A total of three measurements were taken and averaged, and two minutes of squat movements were assessed between ankle angles to prevent target action. Results: The results of this study illustrated that the reliability of the vastus medialis oblique muscles and vastus lateralis oblique muscles in ankle angle was high. The difference in muscle thickness was significantly greater in comparing the toe out 10° angle with the toe 0° angle than between toe in 10° and toe out 10° in vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis oblique (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the ankle angle of toe 0° and toe in 10° (p > 0.05). The maximum vertical ground reaction force was significantly greater at toe out 10° than at the ankle angle of toe 0° and toe out 10° and between toe in 10° and toe out 10° (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison between toe 0° and toe in 10° (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Squatting at an ankle angle of toe out 10° increases the dorsi flexion; thus, the stability of the ankle and the thickness of both oblique muscles increased to perform more effective squats. In addition, as the base of support widens, it is thought that the stability of the posture increases so that squat training can be performed safely.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2010

Wheat germ contains the glycosylated forms of 2-methoxy-p-benzoquinone (2-MBQ) and 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (2,6-DMBQ), both of which have antimicrobial and immunostimulatory effects. Conversion of glycosylated 2-MBQ and 2,6-DMBQ to their more functional unglycosylated forms requires enzymatic action of $\beta$-glucosidase. We investigated the applications of lactic acid bacteria and yeast that produce $\beta$-glucosidase as starters for production of unglycosylated 2-MBQ and 2,6-DMBQ from wheat germ. Lactobacillus zeae and Pichia pijperi were selected through $\beta$-glucosidase enzyme assays for 37 yeast strains and five strains of lactic acid bacteria. Lb. zeae was more efficient than P. pijperi at producing 2-MBQ and 2,6-DMBQ from wheat germ. After 48 hr of fermentation with a mixed culture of Lb. zeae and P. pijperi, the concentration of 2-MBQ was 0.46${\pm}$0.07 mg/g, indicating an approximately 1.6-fold higher concentration than that obtained by pure culture of Lb. zeae. However, the concentration of 2,6-DMBQ was not significantly enhanced by fermentation with a mixed culture of Lb. zeae and P. pijperi.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.492-501
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• 2019

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as quinoline, quinazolinones and indole are scaffolds of natural products and have broad biological effects. During the last years those structures have been intensively synthesized and modified to yield new synthetic molecules that can specifically inhibit the activity of dysregulated protein kinases in cancer cells. Herein, a series of newly synthesized isoquinolinamine (FX-1 to 8) and isoindoloquinazolinone (FX-9, FX-42, FX-43) compounds were evaluated in regards to their anti-leukemic potential on human B- and T- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Several biological effects were observed. B-ALL cells (SEM, RS4;11) were more sensitive against isoquinolinamine compounds than T-ALL cells (Jurkat, CEM). In SEM cells, metabolic activity decreased with $10{\mu}M$ up to 26.7% (FX-3), 25.2% (FX-7) and 14.5% (FX-8). The 3-(p-Tolyl) isoquinolin-1-amine FX-9 was the most effective agent against B- and T-ALL cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.54 to $1.94{\mu}M$. None of the tested compounds displayed hemolysis on erythrocytes or cytotoxicity against healthy leukocytes. Anti-proliferative effect of FX-9 was associated with changes in cell morphology and apoptosis induction. Further, influence of FX-9 on PI3K/AKT, MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling was detected but was heterogeneous. Functional inhibition testing of 58 kinases revealed no specific inhibitory activity among cancer-related kinases. In conclusion, FX-9 displays significant antileukemic activity in B- and T-ALL cells and should be further evaluated in regards to the mechanisms of action. Further compounds of the current series might serve as templates for the design of new compounds and as basic structures for modification approaches.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Brown seaweeds have been shown to decrease blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity previously. In this study, we investigated the effect of fucoidan, a complex polysaccharide derived from brown seaweeds, on glucose uptake to improve insulin resistance, and examined its mechanism of action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We observed that fucoidan significantly increased glucose uptake and it was related to an increased expression of plasma membrane-glucose transporter 4 (PM-GLUT4) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fucoidan treatment increased the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1tyr) compared with that of the control cells. Fucoidan also promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and protein kinase C (PKC)-λ/ζ compared to that of the control cells. Moreover, fucoidan significantly upregulated acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (ACC) and adenosine monophosphate - activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. As a result, translocation of GLUT4 was significantly enhanced in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which significantly promoted glucose uptake via the PI3K/AMPK pathways. The elevation of glucose uptake by fucoidan was blocked by inhibitor of PI3K and inhibitor of AMPK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These findings indicate that fucoidan might ameliorate glucose uptake through GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane by activating the PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fucoidan is thought to be of high material value to diabetes treatments and functional foods.