• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.1358-1366
• /
• 2016

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immune-enhancing activity of selenizing Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (sCPPS₅) in nonspecific immune response. In in vitro experiment, the results showed that sCPPS₅ could promote the phagocytic uptake, NO production, and TNF-α and IL-6 secretion of RAW264.7 cells. sCPPS₅ could also strongly increase the IκB-α degradation in the cytosol and the translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus of RAW264.7 cells. In the vivo experiment, sCPPS₅ at medium doses could significantly improve the phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages and induce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, the effect of sCPPS₅ was significantly better than Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPS). These results indicated that selenylation modification could significantly enhance the immune-enhancing activity of CPPS in the nonspecific immune response.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2013.08a
• /
• pp.130.1-130.1
• /
• 2013

We made attempts to improve photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles under visible light exposure by combining two additional treatments. N-doping of $TiO_2$ by ammonia gas treatment at $600^{\circ}C$ increased absorbance of visible light. By coating thin film of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and subsequent vacuum-annealing at $800^{\circ}C$, $TiO_2$, became more hydrophilic, thereby enhancing photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$. Four types of $TiO_2$ samples were prepared, bare-$TiO_2$, hydrophilic-modified $TiO_2$ ($h-PDMS/TiO_2$), N-doped $TiO_2$ ($N/TiO_2$) and hydrophilic-modified and N-doped $TiO_2$ ($h-PDMS/N/TiO_2$). Adsorption capability was evaluated under dark condition and photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ was evaluated by photodegradation of MB under blue LED (400 nm< ${\lambda}$) irradiation. N-doping on $TiO_2$ was characterized using XPS and hydrophilic modification of $TiO_2$ surface was analyzed by FT-IR spectrometer. It was found that N-doping and hydrophilic modification both had positive effect on enhancing adsorption capability and photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ at the same time. Particularly, N-doping enhanced visible light absorption of $TiO_2$, whereas hydrophilic surface modification increased MB adsorption capacity. By combining these two strategies, photocatalytic acitivity under visible light irradiation became the sum of individual effects of N-doping and hydrophilic modification.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.12
• /
• pp.1634-1640
• /
• 2007

The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities and ferric- reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay against extracts of Kalopanax pictus (KP) were measured. Radical scavenging and antioxidant activities were increased depend on the concentration and the effects were enhanced by ascorbic acid (AA). KP extracts and AA had a good anti-proliferating activity against HepG2 cells by MTT assay and induces cells apoptosis, which was demonstrated by flow cytometric analysis. KP extracts and AA caused the arrest of cell-cycle progression at either G0-G1-phase or G2/M-phase, which might be depending upon the KP extracts concentration. In addition, KP extracts and AA are effective in enhancing immunity and nitric oxide production by RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. KP extracts and AA inhibited tumor cell growth and exerted antioxidant effects as compared to controls. These results demonstrate that simultaneous AA and KP extracts treatment could be useful in preventing the oxidative damage and anti-proliferating HepG2 cells, and are effective in enhancing immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2010

Five strengthened columns and an unstrengthened column were tested under constant axial load and cyclic lateral loads to examine the seismic performance of the unbounded strengthening procedure using wire ropes and T-plates. Main variables considered were the presence of mortar cover for strengthening steel element and anchorage method of T-plate. Test results clearly showed that T-plates having a proper anchorage contribute to transfer of applied moment as well as enhancement of ductility of reinforced concrete columns. However, T-plate not anchored fully into a column base can seldom transfer the externally applied moment, though it highly improves the ductility of column. The presence of mortar cover for strengthening steel elements is significantly effective in enhancing the initial stiffness and flexural capacity of the strengthened columns, but has an adversely effect on enhancing the ductility. The ultimate moment strength predicted from the extended section laminae method in better agreement with test results compared with predictions obtained using stress black specified in ACI 318-05.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
• /
• no.58
• /
• pp.151-179
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the communication enhancement program through Social Network Service(SNS) of older adults in the community. This program was mainly designed for improving self-efficacy of older adults and enhancing their communication in the community by using SNS. This program was composed of several sub-programs; understanding the value of communication, meeting with SNS users, SNS education and practice, having activities with SNS, promoting SNS, holding public rehearsals and starting ceremony, and having off-line meeting. This study applied analytical framework based on logic model of systems theory, collected data from the subject group, and evaluated the sub-programs on dimensions of process and outcome. The results showed that this program has an effect on improving self-efficacy through participating SNS activities, enhancing communication through boosting SNS, creating new culture for older adults, and changing attitudes between generations. Based on these results, the practical guidelines for expanding the communication enhancement program through SNS, leading by older adults in the community, were suggested.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2019

Mebendazole (MBZ), a microtubule depolymerizing drug commonly used for the treatment of helminthic infections, has recently been noted as a repositioning candidate for angiogenesis inhibition and cancer therapy. However, the definite anti-angiogenic mechanism of MBZ remains unclear. In this study, we explored the inhibitory mechanism of MBZ in endothelial cells (ECs) and developed a novel strategy to improve its anti-angiogenic therapy. Treatment of ECs with MBZ led to inhibition of EC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in several culture conditions in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or FBS, without selectivity of growth factors, although MBZ is known to inhibit VEGF receptor 2 kinase. Furthermore, MBZ inhibited EC migration and tube formation induced by either VEGF or bFGF. However, unexpectedly, treatment of MBZ did not affect FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by these factors. Treatment with MBZ induced shrinking of ECs and caused G2-M arrest and apoptosis with an increased Sub-G1 fraction. In addition, increased levels of nuclear fragmentation, p53 expression, and active form of caspase 3 were observed. The marked induction of autophagy by MBZ was also noted. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy through knocking down of Beclin1 or ATG5/7, or treatment with autophagy inhibitors such as 3-methyladenine and chloroquine resulted in marked enhancement of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of MBZ in ECs. Consequently, we suggest that MBZ induces autophagy in ECs and that protective autophagy can be a novel target for enhancing the anti-angiogenic efficacy of MBZ in cancer treatment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.384-392
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Enteral nutrition formulas with immune-enhancing nutrients, such as n-3 fatty acids, may manage patients' nutritional status and pathophysiological processes. The aim of our study was to investigate natural killer (NK) cell activity alterations and related cytokine changes resulting from feeding with soybean oil-containing enteral nutrition formula (control group) and plant-derived n-3 fatty acid-enriched enteral nutrition formula. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects participated for 14 consecutive days and consumed enteral formula containing canola and flaxseed oil (n3EN, test group) in nonsurgical patients hospitalized for rehabilitation. Blood samples were collected on the first day and 14 days after the consumption of each formula daily, and anthropometric parameters were collected. Hematology and biochemical values were analyzed, and NK cell activities and serum cytokine concentration were measured. A total of sixty subjects were included in the analysis, excluding dropouts. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in biochemical parameters. The n3EN group's NK cell activities at effector:tumor cell ratios of 10:1, 5:1, 2.5:1 and 0.625:1 were significantly higher than those of the control group after two weeks (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in serum cytokine interleukin (IL)-12, $interferon-{\gamma}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ values between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study elucidates the beneficial effects of plant-derived n-3 fatty acid supplementation in enteral formula on NK cell activity.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to develop a extracurricular programs for enhancing creative self-efficacy of college student based on design thinking process, and to examine the effectiveness of the developed program. Since this study is also interested in suggesting the procedure for extracurricular program development and optimizing programs by derivation of improvements, a design-based research method was applied. Results are as follow; first, the procedure for extracurricular program development proceeds in three stages, second, the programs was developed as a 30-hour in-depth program and was conducted twice during winter and summer vacation, and the last, the program was confirmed that it has a positive effect on improving creative self-efficacy. This study contributed to providing a general procedure that can be referred when developing a program that reflects the context of the university, and to present the specific program and the case that use the test tool to confirm the effectiveness.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the memory enhancing properties of extract of Hoelen Cum Radix (HCR) and its possible mechanism in mice of normal condition. Methods : We evaluated the effects of HCR on cognitive function and memory enhancement in normal mice. Male ICR mice were orally administrated with HCR 100 mg/kg for 7 days and equal volume of saline was administrated to the control group in the same condition. We conducted two behavioral tests which measure the spatial working memory (Y-maze test) and cognitive fear memory (passive avoidance test). We also investigated whether HCR affects the hippocampal neurogenesis in the brain. To assess the effects of HCR on neural progenitor cell differentiation and neurite outgrowth in the early stage of hippocampal neurogenesis, we performed doublecortin (DCX), a direct neurogenesis marker, immunohistochemical analysis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the mouse hippocampus. Results : HCR significantly enhanced memory and cognitive function as determined by the Y-maze test (p<0.05) and passive avoidance test (p<0.001). Moreover, HCR increased DCX positive cells (p<0.01) and neurite length (p<0.01) compared to the control group. These results indicated that HCR stimulates differentiation of neural progenitor cells and promotes neurite outgrowth in hippocampal DG of the mice. Conclusion : We concluded that HCR shows memory enhancing effects through the stimulation of hippocampal neurogenesis as a consequence of accelerated neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth in the DG of the hippocampus after HCR treatment.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.129-143
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of clinical nurses' job crafting on organizational effectiveness based on the job demands-resources model proposed by Bakker and Demerouti (2017). Methods: The participants consisted of 393 nurses working in nursing units of a tertiary general hospital located in Cheongju region. The data, collected using questionnaire from August 9 to August 20, 2021, were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 27.0. Results: The goodness-of-fit (GoF) test results on the modified model (χ² = 2.7, GFI = .94, SRMR = .03, RMSEA = .06, NFI = .92, CFI = .94, TLI = .92, AGFI = .90), indicated that the GoF index satisfied the recommended level. Regarding the effects of each variable on organizational effectiveness, job crafting showed statistically significant direct (β = .48, p < .001), indirect (β = .23, p < .001), and total effects (β = .71, p < .001). Burnout showed statistically significant direct effect (β = - .17, p < .001). Work engagement showed statistically significant direct (β = .41, p < .001) and total effects (β = .41, p < .001). The factors explaining organizational effectiveness were job crafting, burnout, and work engagement, which had an explanatory power of 76.7%. Conclusion: Nurses' job crafting is an important mediating factor for enhancing the organizational effectiveness of nursing organizations. Hospitals should develop job-crafting success cases and related education and training programs as a strategy for enhancing the job crafting of nurses and, consequently organizational effectiveness.