• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.636-641
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• 2015

There are controversial findings regarding the roles of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway on bone metabolism under oxidative stress. We investigated how Nrf2/HO-1 pathway affects osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in response to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), or both. Exposing the cells to H₂O₂ decreased the alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium accumulation, and expression of osteoblast markers, such as osteocalcin and runt-related transcription factor-2. In contrast, H₂O₂ treatment increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the cells. Treatment with hemin, a chemical HO-1 inducer, mimicked the inhibitory effect of H₂O₂ on osteoblast differentiation by increasing the HO-1 expression and decreasing the osteogenic marker genes. Pretreatment with NAC restored all changes induced by H₂O₂ to near normal levels in the cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that H₂O₂-mediated activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway negatively regulates the osteoblast differentiation, which is inhibited by NAC.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.1016-1024
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• 2011

The concentrations of bioactive material (polyphenolics and flavonoids) and the biological activities of antioxidative (DPPH [${\alpha},{\alpha}'$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl] free radical scavenging activity, peroxidation of rat liver microsome, and Fe/Cu reducing power), ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, and fibrinolytic activity were tested by in vitro experimental models using 70% methanolic extract from Ganoderma lucidum, Momordica charantia, Fagopyrum tataricum and their mixtures. The highest yield and the concentrations of polyphenolics and flavonoids were shown in the mixture extract. Mixture extract was shown to have the highest activities of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition and tyrosinase inhibition, fibrinolytic, DPPH free radical scavenging, and Fe/Cu reducing power in a concentration-dependent manner. From these results, mixture methanol extract was shown to have the most potent bioactive properties and to contain large amounts of biological materials such as polyphenolics and flavonoids. This mixture could be a good dietary supplement material candidate, such as for antidiabetic functional foods.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.362-369
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• 2017

We assessed the regulation of cryparin, a class II hydrophobin, using three representative mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in Cryphonectria parasitica. Mutation of the CpSlt2 gene, an ortholog of yeast SLT2 in the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway, resulted in a dramatic decrease in cryparin production. Similarly, a mutant of the CpBck1 gene, a MAP kinase kinase kinase gene in the CWI pathway, showed decreased cryparin production. Additionally, mutation of the cpmk1 gene, an ortholog of yeast HOG1, showed decreased cryparin production. However, mutation of the cpmk2 gene, an ortholog of yeast Kss1/Fus3, showed increased cryparin production. The easy-wet phenotype and accumulation of the cryparin transcript in corresponding mutants were consistent with the cryparin production results. In silico analysis of the promoter region of the cryparin gene revealed the presence of binding motifs related to downstream transcription factors of CWI, HOG1, and pheromone responsive pathways including MADS-box- and Ste12-binding domains. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analyses indicated that both CpRlm1, an ortholog of yeast RLM1 in the CWI pathway, and cpst12, an ortholog of yeast STE12 in the mating pathway, showed significantly reduced transcription levels in the mutant strains showing lower cryparin production in C. prasitica. However, the transcription of CpMcm1, an ortholog of yeast MCM1, did not correlate with that of the mutant strains showing downregulation of cryparin. These results indicate that three representative MAPK pathways played a role in regulating cryparin production. However, regulation varied depending on the MAPK pathways: the CWI and HOG1 pathways were stimulatory, whereas the pheromone-responsive MAPK was repressive.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.99-99
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• 2022

Artemisia fukudo is a biennial plant and has been reported to have anticancer, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is difficult to produce biomass from A. fukudo, so it is not used as a material for cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. In vitro culture can stably produce biomass throughout the year. In this study, the culture system for producing the highest biomass and bioactive substances was compared. Ex vitro plants were collected in Pyoseon-eup, Jeju island in May 2021, and in vitro culture was harvested after culturing for 8 weeks (plantlet) and 4 weeks (adventitious roots), respectively. After harvest, total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH scavenging activity were analyzed. In biomass production, adventitious roots (FW: 5.1 g·100 ml^-1, DW: 0.6 g·100 ml^-1) were about 4 times higher than that of plantlets (FW: 1.8 g·200 ml^-1, DW: 0.3 g·200 ml^-1). Both TPC and TFC were highest in ex vitro plants (9.2 ㎍·mL^-1, 31.6 ㎍·mL^-1), and were 3.0 times and 1.8 times higher than those of plantlets (3.0 ㎍·mL^-1, 17.8 ㎍·mL^-1), respectively. The IC₅₀ value of DPPH scavenging activity was also the best in ex vitro plants (69.8 ㎍·mL^-1), followed by root root (184.4 ㎍·mL^-1) and plants (325.3 ㎍·mL^-1) in that order. Through additional elicitor treatment, scale-up, and advanced compounds analysis such as HPLC, it can be used as an industrial material.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Silk sericin, a natural protein from silkworm cocoons, is emerging as a multifunctional biomaterial in biomedicine, particularly in tissue engineering and wound healing. Recent studies have highlighted its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and potential for chemical modification, which allows it to be incorporated into various scaffold architectures. This review article synthesizes current research, including the development of sericin-based hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering and sericin's role in enhancing wound healing. Key findings demonstrate sericin's ability to refine scaffold porosity and mechanical strength, expedite tissue healing, and reduce bacterial load in wounds. The integration of sericin into novel bioactive dressings and its use in peripheral nerve injury repair are also discussed, showcasing its adaptability and efficacy. The convergence of these studies illustrates the broad applications of sericin, from scaffold design to clinical interventions, making it a promising material in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, with the potential to improve patient outcomes significantly.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2018

Corn stover is known as a good candidate for a functional food ingredient when the main lignocellulosic material, lignin, is used as bioactive materials as form of polyphenolic compounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the microwave extraction conditions under which total phenolic compounds (TPC) and flavonoid contents of corn stover were maximized. Microwave-assisted extracts using sulfuric acid ranging from 0 to 1.0 mol with extraction time between 40 and 240 sec were conducted by using response surface methodology (RSM). Microwave power showed significant effects (p<0.05) and the concentrations of TPC and flavonoids increased with increased level of microwave power and extraction time. The optimum conditions for corn stover extraction were determined as 698.6 W, 240 sec, and 0 mol sulfuric acid, and the predicted value of TPC and flavonoid is 82.4 mg GAE/g DM and 18.1 mg/g DM, respectively. Microwave extraction was evaluated as an economic process with low energy consumption, short extraction and high extraction yield of bioactive including TPC and flavonoids compared to conventional extractions.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.425-432
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• 2020

For this study copper ions-containing bioactive glass nanoparticles commonly used in mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was developed to improve the mechanical properties and promote antibacterial effect of MTA with the original material. The mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of Cu-BGn incorporating varying amounts cooper incorporated bioactive glass nano particles(BGn) 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 wt% in MTA were characterized composition of the resulting were investigated. The compressive strength was calculated by weighing specimens with a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 6 mm according to ISO 6876 (2012). The antimicrobial effect was evaluated using two strains of S. mutans and E. faecalis. The mechanical properties of the test results was Cu-BGn increased no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Adhesion experiment results S. mutans in contrast to the control group Ortho MTA, 4.0 wt% of Cu-BGn added experimental group showed a significant difference was observed (p<0.05). Also, E. faecalis statistical analysis indicated a significant difference for antibacterial agents between control and Cu-BGn containing(p<0.05). It seems that this Cu-BGn proved that even a antibacterial effect was demonstrated. Therefore, it was suggest that it is necessary for in-depth research into various environments that can reproduce the oral environment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.542-549
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• 2018

In this study BGn-incorporated non-fluoride release of pit and fissure sealant $Concise^{TM}$ was developed to improve the mechanical properties and promote antibacterial effect of fit and fissure sealant with the original material. The mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of BGn incorporating vary-ing amounts bioactive glass nano particles(BGn) (0,0.5,1.0 and 2.0 wt% in sealant) were characterized composition of the resulting were investigated. The solubility to aid absorption was calculated by weighing specimens with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 2 mm according to ISO 4049 (2009). The antimicrobial effect was evaluated using three strains of S. mutans, S. aureus and E. coli. The absorbance of the test results was as high as the addition of BGn increased, and the lower the solubility as the solubility was added(p<0.05). Adhesion experiment results S. mutans in contrast to the control group $Concise^{TM}$, BGn-added experimental group showed a somewhat lower adherent surface but no statistically significant difference was observed (p<0.05). However S. aureus and E. coli statistical analysis indicated a significant difference for antibacterial agents between control and BGn containing(p<0.05). It seems that this BGn proved that even a antibacterial effect was demonstrated. Therefore, it was suggest that the additional effects of BGn and research on a wide range of substances.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2022

This study will evaluate the effect of fermented Morinda citrifolia L. extracts and its marker compounds to provide baseline data for utilizing Morinda citrifolia L. as functional health products. Morinda citrifolia L. and six marker compounds were processed on RAW 246.7 macrophage to test for XTT Cytotoxicity, measure Nitric Oxide and Cyokine formation, and analyze the expression of immune marker genes. Furthermore, LPS and fermented red ginseng extract, a common functional ingredient, are used as positive controls. Our results showed that fermented Morinda citrifolia L and six bioactive compounds did not have any cytotoxic effect in all treatment concentrations and groups. Among six bioactive compounds, SCP and ASE confirmed the formation of NO. In addition, the ASE treatment group showed increased formation of IL-6 and IL-1β and the expression of iNOS and TNF-α. Also, fermented Morinda citrifolia L extract activated the macrophage by enhancing the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, and the expression of COX2 compared to Morinda citrifolia L. extracts. The result of the study showed that Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) and marker compound enhance the innate immunity activity and suggested that the bioactive compound could be applied as a marker compound. Thus, Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) could be used as functional food material to develop immunity-enhancing products, and highly functional marker compounds can be utilized as the effective components.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.427-438
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• 2020

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infects the lower respiratory airway of humans, leading to severe acute respiratory failure. Unlike human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4), a receptor for MERS-CoV, mouse DPP4 (mDPP4) failed to support MERS-CoV infection. Consequently, diverse transgenic mouse models expressing hDPP4 have been developed using diverse methods, although some models show no mortality and/or only transient and mild-to-moderate clinical signs following MERS-CoV infection. Additionally, overexpressed hDPP4 is associated with neurological complications and breeding difficulties in some transgenic mice, resulting in impeding further studies. Here, we generated stable hDPP4-transgenic mice that were sufficiently susceptible to MERS-CoV infection. The transgenic mice showed weight loss, decreased pulmonary function, and increased mortality with minimal perturbation of overexpressed hDPP4 after MERS-CoV infection. In addition, we observed histopathological signs indicative of progressive pulmonary fibrosis, including thickened alveolar septa, infiltration of inflammatory monocytes, and macrophage polarization as well as elevated expression of profibrotic molecules and acute inflammatory response in the lung of MERS-CoV-infected hDPP4-transgenic mice. Collectively, we suggest that this hDPP4-transgenic mouse is useful in understanding the pathogenesis of MERS-CoV infection and for antiviral research and vaccine development against the virus.