• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.345-354
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of Korean red ginseng extract through transcriptomics in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. At the end of treatment, we measured blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). RGL-treated group lowered the blood glucose and HbA1c levels by 19.6% and 11.4% compared to those in diabetic control group. In addition, plasma adiponectin and leptin levels in RGL-treated groups were increased by 20% and 12%, respectively, compared to those in diabetic control. Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and epidydimal adipose tissue were done by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. RGL-treated group revealed higher insulin contents and lower glucagon contents compared to diabetic control. To elucidate an action mechanism of Korean red ginseng, DNA microarray analyses were performed in liver and fat tissues, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted in liver for validation. According to hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis of gene expression Korean red ginseng treated groups were close to metformin treated group. In summary, Korean red ginseng lowered the blood glucose level through protecting destruction of islet cells and shifting glucose metabolism from hepatic glucose production to glucose utilization and improving insulin sensitivity through enhancing plasma adiponectin and leptin levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.332-340
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• 2020

Background: The valuable medicinal plant Panax ginseng has high pharmaceutical efficacy because it produces ginsenosides. However, its yields decline because of a root-rot disease caused by Ilyonectria mors-panacis. Because species within Ilyonectria showed variable aggressiveness by altering ginsenoside concentrations in inoculated plants, we investigated how such infections might regulate the biosynthesis of ginsenosides and their related signaling molecules. Methods: Two-year-old ginseng seedlings were treated with I. mors-panacis and I. robusta. Roots from infected and pathogen-free plants were harvested at 4 and 16 days after inoculation. We then examined levels or/and expression of genes of ginsenosides, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also checked the susceptibility of those pathogens to ROS. Results: Ginsenoside biosynthesis was significantly suppressed and increased in response to infection by I. mors-panacis and I. robusta, respectively. Regulation of JA was significantly higher in I. robusta-infected roots, while levels of SA and ROS were significantly higher in I. mors-panacis-infected roots. Catalase activity was significantly higher in I. robusta-infected roots followed in order by mock roots and those infected by I. mors-panacis. Moreover, I. mors-panacis was resistant to ROS compared with I. robusta. Conclusion: Infection by the weakly aggressive I. robusta led to the upregulation of ginsenoside production and biosynthesis, probably because only a low level of ROS was induced. In contrast, the more aggressive I. mors-panacis suppressed ginsenoside biosynthesis, probably because of higher ROS levels and subsequent induction of programmed cell death pathways. Furthermore, I. mors-panacis may have increased its virulence by resisting the cytotoxicity of ROS.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2009

Context-aware technologies for ubiquitous computing are necessary to study the representation of gathered context-information appropriately, the understanding of user's intention using context-information, and the offer of pertinent services for users. In this paper, we propose the WS-CAM(Web Services based Context-Aware Middleware) framework for context-aware computing. WS-CAM provides ample power of expression and inference mechanisms to various context-information using an ontology-based context model. We also consider that WS-CAM is the middleware-independent structure to adopt web services with characteristic of loosely coupling as a matter of communication of context-information. In this paper, we describe a scenario for lecture services based on the ubiquitous computing e e e e e e to verify the utilization of WS-CAM We also show an example of middleware-independent system expansion to display the merits of web-based services. WS-CAM for lecture services represented context-information itodomaits as OWL-based ontology model effectively, and we confirmed the information is inferred to high level context-information by user-defined rules. We also confirmed the context-information is transferred to application services middleware-independently using various web methods provided by web services.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartD
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• v.15D no.5
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• pp.629-646
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• 2008

Because most metricsin the literatures are described by a natural language, they can be interpreted in an ambigous manner. To cope with this problem, there are some researches to express based on Object Constraint Language(OCL). Because OCL has been proposed to describe structural constraintsfor Unified Modeling Language(UML) diagrams, it is difficult and awkward. In this paper, we propose Metric Description Language(MDL) which is a high level language to describe metrics. MDL supports a modular description of complex metrics, aggregation function, and automatic navigation between entities. Moreover, we develop MetriUs for describing metrics using MDL and supporting an automated computation for UML diagrams. In a case study, we have described a variety of existing metrics using MDL and found that MDL contributes to producing simpler expression of metrics than OCL.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1228-1234
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• 2008

Having idea to develop more effective anti-diabetic agent from ginseng root, we comprehensively assessed the anti-diabetic activity and mechanisms of ginsam in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. The db/db mice were divided into 4 groups; diabetic control (DC), ginsam at a dose of 300 or 500 mg/kg (GS300 or GS500) and metformin at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Ginsam was orally administered for 8 weeks. GS500 reduced the blood glucose concentration and significantly decreased an insulin resistance index. In addition, GS500 reduced the plasma non-esterified fatty acid, triglyceride, and increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol as well as decreased the hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride. More interestingly, ginsam increased the plasma adiponectin level by 17% compared to diabetic control group. Microarray, quantitative-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme activity results showed that gene and protein expressions associated with glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation were changed to the way of reducing hepatic glucose production, insulin resistance and enhancing fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation. Ginsam also increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and glucose transporter expressions in the liver and skeletal muscle, respectively. These changes in gene expression were considered to be the mechanism by which the ginsam exerted the anti-diabetic and anti-dyslipidemic activities in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Due to the major role played by several species of Streptococcus in the etiology of periodontitis, it is important to assess the pattern of Streptococcus pathogenic pathways within the infected subgingival pockets using a bacterial specific 16S rRNA fragment. From the total of 50 patients with periodontitis included in the study, only 23 Streptococcal isolates were considered for further analyses, in which their 16S rRNA fragments were amplified and sequenced. Then, a comprehensive phylogenetic tree was constructed and in silico prediction was performed for the observed Streptococcal species. The phylogenetic analysis of the subgingival Streptococcal species revealed a high discrimination power of the 16S rRNA fragment to accurately identify three groups of Streptococcus on the species level, including S. salivarius (14 isolates), S. anginosus (5 isolates), and S. gordonii (4 isolates). The employment of state-of-art in silico tools indicated that each Streptococcal species group was characterized with particular transcription factors that bound exclusively with a different 16S rRNA-based secondary structure. In conclusion, the observed data of the present study provided in-depth insights into the mechanism of each Streptococcal species in its pathogenesis, which differ in each observed group, according to the differences in the 16S rRNA secondary structure it takes, and the consequent binding with its corresponding transcription factors. This study paves the way for further interventions of the in silico prediction, with the main conventional in vitro microbiota identification to present an interesting insight in terms of the gene expression pattern and the signaling pathway that each pathogenic species follows in the infected subgingival site.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.245-254
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• 2018

Pigs are considered as optimal donor animal for the successful xenotransplantation. To increase the possibility of clinical application, genetic modification to increase compatibility with human is an important and essential process. Genetic modification technique has been developed and improved to produce genetically modified pigs rapidly. CRISPR/Cas9 system is widely used in various fields including the production of transgenic animals and also can be enable multiple gene modifications. In this study, we developed new gene targeting vector and enrichment system for the rapid and efficient selection of genetically modified cells. We conducted co-transfection with two targeting vectors for simultaneous inactivation of two genes and enrichment of the genetically modified cells using MACS. After this efficient enrichment, genotypic analysis of each colony showed that colonies which have genetic modifications on both genes were confirmed with high efficiency. Somatic cell nuclear transfer was conducted with established donor cells and genetically modified pigs were successfully produced. Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of generated pigs showed identical genotypes with donor cells and no surface expression of ${\alpha}$-Gal and HD antigens. Furthermore, functional analysis using pooled human serum revealed dramatically reduction of human natural antibody (IgG and IgM) binding level and natural antibody-mediated cytotoxicity. In conclusion, the constructed vector and enrichment system using MACS used in this study is efficient and useful to generate genetically modified donor cells with multiple genetic alterations and lead to an efficient production of genetically modified pigs.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives: Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder, which is characterized by proteinuria, edema (swelling), and hyperlipidemia. Maydis Stigma (Corn silk) has been widely used in Asia as a traditional medicine and is known to have a diuretic effect and is used for the treatment of edema and indigestion. Methods: The aim of this study is to investigate the improvement effect of Maydis Stigma in treating nephrotic syndrome induced by puromycin aminonucleoside. Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with 75 mg/kg/day puromycin aminonucleoside, then treated with either Losartan or 200 mg/kg/day Maydis Stigma for seven days. Results: Maydis Stigma significantly decreased ascites and proteinuria level. Plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine reduced significantly by Maydis Stigma. In addition, treatment with Maydis Stigma attenuated histological damage. Treatment with Maydis Stigma also restored podocin expression and reduced inflammation markers such as intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). Conclusions: Maydis Stigma ameliorates kidney injury in nephrotic syndrome rat models. Maydis Stigma exerts a renoprotective effect owing to its anti-inflammatory effects and reductions of ascites and proteinuria. Thus, these results indicate that Maydis Stigma is likely to be a promising agent in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.236-243
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• 2021

In this study, the functional cosmetic activity of hot-water (AW) and methanol(AM) extracts from Apocynum lancifolium Russanov are examined. In the DPPH antioxidant activity test, the AW extract showed the highest inhibition rate of 90.5% (IC50 37.717 ± 8.209 ㎍/mL) and the antioxidative activity of ABTS showed a high activity in the AW extract with an IC50 of 185.244 ± 12.602 ㎍/mL and 96.2%, respectively. In RAW264.7 macrophages, the two extracts significantly suppressed the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-6 production and iNOS expression level. The MTT assay measured by the cell survival rate showed that AW and AM extracts have no toxicity. The astringent activity of the AW extract exhibited the highest astringent activity with 74.336±2.487 mg/mL. Therefore, these results suggest that A. lancifolium extracts have a health promotion potential which can be further developed as food additive, natural products for cosmetic purpose.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.830-842
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• 2021

When perceiving microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) or plant-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), plants alter their root growth and development by displaying a reduction in the root length and the formation of root hairs and lateral roots. The exogenous application of a MAMP peptide, flg22, was shown to affect root growth by suppressing meristem activity. In addition to MAMPs, the DAMP peptide PEP1 suppresses root growth while also promoting root hair formation. However, the question of whether and how these elicitor peptides affect the development of the vascular system in the root has not been explored. The cellular receptors of PEP1, PEPR1 and PEPR2 are highly expressed in the root vascular system, while the receptors of flg22 (FLS2) and elf18 (EFR) are not. Consistent with the expression patterns of PEP1 receptors, we found that exogenously applied PEP1 has a strong impact on the division of stele cells, leading to a reduction of these cells. We also observed the alteration in the number and organization of cells that differentiate into xylem vessels. These PEP1-mediated developmental changes appear to be linked to the blockage of symplastic connections triggered by PEP1. PEP1 dramatically disrupts the symplastic movement of free green fluorescence protein (GFP) from phloem sieve elements to neighboring cells in the root meristem, leading to the deposition of a high level of callose between cells. Taken together, our first survey of PEP1-mediated vascular tissue development provides new insights into the PEP1 function as a regulator of cellular reprogramming in the Arabidopsis root vascular system.