• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.42.1-42.20
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• 2022

Vaccination with tumor peptide epitopes associated with MHC class I molecules is an attractive approach directed at inducing tumor-specific CTLs. However, challenges remain in improving the therapeutic efficacy of peptide epitope vaccines, including the low immunogenicity of peptide epitopes and insufficient stimulation of innate immune components in vivo. To overcome this, we aimed to develop and test an innovative strategy that elicits potent CTL responses against tumor epitopes. The essential feature of this strategy is vaccination using tumor epitope-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) in combination with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly-IC) and anti-PD1 mAb. Carboxylated NPs were prepared using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(ethylene/maleic anhydride), covalently conjugated with anti-H-2K^b mAbs, and then attached to H-2K^b molecules isolated from the tumor mass (H-2^b). Native peptides associated with the H-2K^b molecules of H-2K^b-attached NPs were exchanged with tumor peptide epitopes. Tumor peptide epitope-loaded NPs efficiently induced tumor-specific CTLs when used to immunize tumor-bearing mice as well as normal mice. This activity of the NPs significantly was increased when co-administered with poly-IC. Accordingly, the NPs exerted significant anti-tumor effects in mice implanted with EG7-OVA thymoma or B16-F10 melanoma, and the anti-tumor activity of the NPs was significantly increased when applied in combination with poly-IC. The most potent anti-tumor activity was observed when the NPs were co-administered with both poly-IC and anti-PD1 mAb. Immunization with tumor epitope-loaded NPs in combination with poly-IC and anti-PD1 mAb in tumor-bearing mice can be a powerful means to induce tumor-specific CTLs with therapeutic anti-tumor activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2024

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a stable and an effective system that protects cell-impermeable biologically active compounds such as nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides against degradation caused by subtle environmental changes. This study focuses on developing LNPs encapsulating gallic acid (GA), an antioxidant, to effectively prolong the half-life of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THDC), a oil-soluble vitamin C derivative. These LNPs were synthesized in small, uniform sizes at room temperature and pressure conditions using a microfluidics chip. Compared to liposomes manufactured under high pressure and high temperature conditions through conventional microfluidizers, LNPs manufactured through microfluidics chips had excellent dispersion and temperature stability, and improved skin absorption as well as improved oxidative stability of fat-soluble vitamin C derivatives. Future studies will focus on ex vivo and in vivo evaluations to study skin improvement to further validate these results.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.142-154
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• 2023

Plant abscission is a natural process in which plant organs or tissues undergo detachment, a strategy selected by nature for the disposal of nonessential organs and widespread dissemination of seeds and fruits. However, from an agricultural perspective, the abscission of seeds or fruits represents a major factor that reduces crop productivity and product quality. Therefore, during the crop domestication process in traditional agriculture, mutants exhibiting suppressed abscission were selected and crossbred, thereby enabling the production of modern crop varieties such as rice, tomatoes, canola, and soybeans. These crops possess a unique trait of retaining ripe fruits or seeds in contrast to disposal via abscission. During the previous century, research on quantitative trait loci along with genetic and molecular biological studies on Arabidopsis thaliana have elucidated various cell biological mechanisms, signaling pathways, and transcription regulators involved in abscission. Additionally, it has been revealed that various hormone signals, which are involved in plant growth, play crucial roles in modulating abscission activity. Researchers have developed several chemical treatments that target these hormones and signal transduction pathways to enhance crop yields. This review aimed to introduce the previously identified signal transduction pathways and pivotal regulators implicated in abscission activity. Moreover, this review will discuss the future direction of research required to investigate crop abscission mechanisms for their potential application in smart farming and other areas of agriculture, as well as areas within model systems that require extensive research.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2024

Objectives : This study induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by treating them with AA+iron and investigated the effects of forsythia suspensa extract on this stress, as well as elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying its hepatoprotective effects. Methods : To confirm the antioxidative effects of FSE, HepG2 cells were induced with AA+iron to induce oxidative stress, followed by MTT assay. Additionally, the effect of FSE in reducing the increased ROS levels and mitochondrial damage induced by AA+iron in HepG2 cells was confirmed using FACS. Furthermore, western blot analysis were conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effects of FSE. Results : FSE increased the decreased cell viability induced by AA+iron. Additionally, FSE normalized the expression of apoptosis-related proteins induced by AA+iron. The elevated ROS levels in HepG2 cells induced by AA+iron were reduced by FSE, and the increase in Rh123-negative cells induced by AA+iron was attenuated by FSE. Moreover, FSE activated the protein expression of AMPK and its related phosphorylating enzymes, LKB1 and ACC. Furthermore, FSE activated YAP and its upstream phosphorylating enzyme, LATS1. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that FSE has an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress induced by AA+iron and may have potential hepatoprotective effects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.196-210
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of a combination of Syzygium aromaticum L. and Sorbus commixta Hedl. (SS) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The extracts of Syzygium aromaticum extract (SA) and Sorbus commixta extract (SC) were prepared individually using distilled water. They were mixed in a 1:2 ratio for use in the experiment. To assess the anti-obesity potential of SS in vitro, we examined cell proliferation, cellular triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels, as well as lipogenesis and β-oxidation in 3T3-L1 cells. To confirm its anti-obesity potential in vivo, C57BL/6J mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. SA alone, SC alone, and their combination compound, SS (at a dosage of 200 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks. Thereafter, to conduct a comparative evaluation, serum analysis, western blotting of liver tissues, and histopathological analysis were performed. Results: Both SS200 and SS400 significantly inhibited the cellular TG and TC contents in the 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with SS (at a dose 200 and 400 ㎍/mL) also led to a noticeable regulation of key lipogenic and β-oxidation factors. Treatment of obese mice with SS resulted in a greater reduction in serum leptin and TG levels compared to treatment with the individual compounds (SA and SC). Furthermore, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase α by SS treatment resulted in the suppression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1, leading to the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) expression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SS may have the potential to prevent obesity through a reduction in the TG and TC levels and regulation of lipogenesis and β-oxidation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.23-28
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• 2023

Since the global shock caused by COVID-19, interest in immune-enhancing materials is rapidly increasing, therefore, the development of novel materials is necessary from the industrial and health perspectives. In this study, we selected Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Seed Extract (NSE) and evaluated immune enhancement effect by using RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. NSE significantly up-regulated production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species without affecting cell viability in RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, NSE exhibited an increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that NSE-treatment significantly enhanced production of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, we observed that NSE significantly up-regulated phosphorylation of p65, I kappa B kinase α/β, and I kappa B (IκB) α as well as down-regulation of IκB α expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Our findings indicate that NSE could be the potential health-functional food material with capacity of improving immunity via Nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2022

Backgrounds/Aims: The role of inflammation in malignant cell proliferation has been well described. High values of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as markers of systemic inflammation have shown associations with unfavorable long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine values of NLR and PLR evaluated prior to and after surgery and their associations with mortality and recurrence rates of liver transplant patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 105 patients with HCC who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were retrospectively reviewed. NLR and PLR values were obtained from complete blood counts prior to and after surgery. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in relation with delta NLR and PLR were estimated. Results: Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels > 100 ng/mL (p = 0.014) and lymphovascular emboli in the specimen (p = 0.048) were identified to be significant predictors of RFS. Child-Pugh score (p = 0.016) was found to be an independent factor associated with poorer OS. An increasing delta PLR was associated with worse RFS, although it showed no significant association with OS. Conclusions: The analysis of PLR as a continuous variable may predict recurrence outcomes in patients undergoing OLT for HCC. It is more representative than isolated values.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.514-521
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• 2007

The sympathetic nerve block improves the blood flow in the innervated regions. For this region, the sympathetic nerve block has been performed in the neural and cerebral disorders. However, the cerebral blood flow regulation of the cranial cervical ganglion block in dogs have not been well defined and the correlation to the changes in the cerebral circulation and the changes in the electroencephalogram is not well defined in dogs yet. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that changes in the EEG could be affected by the changes in cerebral blood flow following the cranial cervical ganglion block in dogs. Twenty five beagle dogs were divided into 3 groups; group I(LCCGB, n=10) underwent left sided cranial cervical ganglion block using the 1% lidocaine, group II(L, n=10) injected the 1% lidocaine into the right or left sided digastricus muscle, group III(N/SCCGB, n=5, served as control) underwent the left sided cranial cervical ganglion block using saline. A statistical difference was not found between the control group and the LCCGB group in the 95% spectral edge frequency(SEF) and the median frequency(MF). In the relative band power, the $\delta$ frequency was decreased during 5-25 min, while the $\alpha$ frequency was increased during the same time(p<0.05). But the $\theta$ frequency and the $\beta$ frequency were not shown the significant changes compared with the control group during the same time(p<0.05). These results suggest that the left cranial cervical ganglion block does not induce the change of the cerebral blood flow and its effect is insignificant.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.211-223
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• 2001

Background : Rhinovirus infection of the airways results in increased permeability of the airway vascular endothelium with the influx of plasma proteins, including lipids such as LDL. In vitro studies on the effect of oxLDL on leukocytes has shown many pro inflammatory effects on multiple leukocytes. We hypothesized that oxLDL is one mechanism for recruiting granulocytes to the airways during a RV infection. Therefore, chemotaxis and transendothelial migration, in response to nLDL, was determined for these granulocytes. Methods : nLDL was oxidized with 5mM Cu2S04 for 20-24 hours. 3-5 105 cells were loaded into the Transwell filter while the chemotatic agonists were placed in the lower well for chemotaxis. Confluent monolayers on HPMEC were grown on Transwell filters for transendothelial migration. The filters were washed and eosinophils and neutrophils loaded on to the filter with the chemotatic agonist was were placed in the lower well. The wells were incubated for 3 hours. The number of migrating cells was counted on a hemocytometer. Results : OxLDL, but not nLDL, is chemotatic for eosinophils and neutrophils. The level of granulocytes chemotaxis was dependent on both the concentration of LDL and its degree of oxidation. OxLDL stimulates eosinophil and neutrophils migration across HPMEC monolayers (+/-IL-$1{\beta}$ preactivation) in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion : Increased vascular permeability during a RV infection may lead to the influx and oxidation of LDL. The resulting oxLDL. is one possible mechanism for the recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the airway interstitial matrix. Once in the airways, granulocytes can further interact with oxLDL to promote airway inflammation.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.463-469
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• 2014

Sorghum has been consumed as one of the important staple food in the semiarid tropics of Africa and Asia. Sorghum is rich in starch, protein, essential vitamins and minerals and grows relatively well in dry climate regions when it compared with other staple food crops. Sorghum has taken an increased interest due to several studies that report about the beneficial effects of sorghum on human health. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative and activity of extract of milling by-products (hull and bran) of Korean sorghum cultivar, 'Hwanggeaumchal' as well as its grain. Hull extract showed the highest total polyphenol contents ($29.7{\pm}0.2mg\;GAE/100g$) and major four pigments content ($322.6{\pm}14.5mg/100g$). From results of 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, hull extract ($IC_{50}$, $6.3{\pm}0.1{\mu}g/mL$) was also showed the strongest antioxidative effects. Bran and grain showed similar polyphenol, pigments contents and antioxidative effects. We determined cell viability by MTT assay and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity by measuring nitric oxide (NO) of hull, bran and grain methanol extract (0.5% HCl v/v) on RAW 264.7 cells. Hull extract treatment was significantly decreased NO production with dose-dependant manner. Apigeninidin as one of the major pigment of hull was showed inhibitory activity against NO production without cytotoxicitiy. Therefore, sorghum milling by-products can be used as a good source of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agents.