• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.525-531
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• 2016

Cynanchum wilfordii Radix (CWR), Arctium lappa L (ALL), and Dioscorea opposite (DO) have been known to improve blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammation. To find the optimal combination ratio of CWR, ALL, and DO in terms of vascular health improvement, we compared the effects of various combinations on gene expression of Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). VCAM-1 mediates endothelial leukocyte adhesion and is upregulated in atherosclerosis. Cells was stimulated by TNF-α (10 ng/㎖, 2h) and treated with various combinations for 24 h. A combination (CADM5, CWR:ALL:DO = 2:1:1) showed the strongest suppression of VCAM-1 so that CADM5 was chosen for further experiments. We performed cell viability test with CADM5 (0, 3.125, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/㎖) and no cytotoxicity was found. We also investigated the effect of CADM5 on protein expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, Nrf-2, and HO-1 using western blotting. We found that CADM5 diminished the expression of VCAM-1 and increased the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1. Therefore, we concluded that CADM5 (CWR:ALL:DO = 2:1:1) effectively improves vascular health by regulating the expression of VCAM-1.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.274-279
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• 2018

To evaluate the antioxidant activities of Korean and Chinese Torreya seeds, their total phenolic compound content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical and ONOO-scavenging activities were compared using their water and methanol extracts. The effective compounds were identified and quantitatively analyzed by GC-MS. The DPPH and ONOO-scavenging activities were the highest in the Korean Torreya seeds. After using GC-MS to identify the active compounds, a total of eight compounds were identified in Korean Torreya seeds, and five compounds were found in Chinese Torreya seeds. In conclusion, we could confirm the antioxidant activity and the difference between active compounds of the Korean and Chinese Torreya seeds; we also confirmed the superiority of Korean Torreya seeds. Futhermore, this basic data about the Korean and Chinese Torreya seeds can be provided to consumers, so that they can select proper and suitable functional foods.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.143-146
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• 2004

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging system was constructed and used to detect the hexahistidine-ubiquitin-tagged human parathyroid hormone fragment (His$\sub$6/-Ub-hPTHF(1-34)) expressed in Escherichia coli. The hexahistidine-specific antibody was immobilized on a thin gold film coated with ProLinker$\^$TM/ B, a novel calixcrown derivative with a bifunctional coupling property that permits efficient immobilizaton of capture proteins on solid matrices. The soluble and insoluble fractions of an E. coli cell lysate were spotted onto the antibody-coated gold chip, which was then washed with buffer (pH 7.4) solution and dried. SPR imaging measurements were carried out to detect the expressed His$\sub$6/-Ub-hPTHF(1-34). There was no discernible protein image in the uninduced cell lysate, indicating that non-specific binding of contaminant proteins did not occur on the gold chip surface. It is expected that the approach used here to detect affinity-tagged recombinant proteins using an SPR imaging technique could be used as a powerful tool for the analyses of a number of proteins in a high-throughput mode.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.775-783
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• 2021

Sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, is a well-known traditional Asian medicine that has been used for suppressing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and improving immunity. Moreover, previous studies demonstrated that the extract from H. scabra contains many bioactive compounds with potent inhibitory effect on tumor cell survival and progression. However, the effect of the methanolic extract from the body wall of H. scabra (BWMT) on human prostate cancer cells has not yet been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of BWMT on prostate cancer cell viability and metastasis. BWMT was obtained by maceration with methanol. The effect of BWMT on cell viability was assessed by MTT and colony formation assays. The intracellular ROS accumulation was evaluated using a DCFH-DA fluorescence probe. Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to examine the apoptotic-inducing effect of the extract. A transwell migration assay was performed to determine the anti-metastasis effect. BWMT significantly reduced cell viability and triggered cellular apoptosis by accumulating intracellular ROS resulting in the upregulation of JNK and p38 signaling pathways. In addition, BWMT also inhibited the invasion of PC3 cells by downregulating MMP-2/-9 expression via the ERK pathway. Consequently, our study provides BWMT from H. scabra as a putative therapeutic agent that could be applicable against prostate cancer progression.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2011

Economic development involves increase in life expectancy as well as human health care. Consequently, demand for fish meal and fish oil is rapidly growing. In particular, Krill (Eupausia superba) oil product is in high demand due to its rich unsaturated-fatty acid, and thus stable supplies are necessary in the krill oil market. It is required for captured krills to be immediately frozen and stored during ship transport, since proteins of the krill are quickly denatured in natural temperature condition. However, the transportation cost has been sharply increased, which encourages researchers to involve in studies for development of efficient oil extraction process. In this study, a solid/liquid separation technique on boat for the krill oil was developed through triple separation tests using only a separator or using either brush or crusher prior to the separator. The separation tests revealed that the efficiency were 46.2, 60.2 and 60.4 % by the separator, combination with brush, and combination with crusher, respectively. In addition, it was found that byproduct, extracted cake, derived from the separation process could be used as a feed stuff. These results suggest that smashing using the brush or crusher prior to the separator is more efficient than using only the separator.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.439-451
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• 1993

Protein kinase C isozymes in a human prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cell line were characterized. Immunoreactive bands and immunocytochemical stains were obsenred in PC-3 cells with antibodies raised against protein kinase C ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, $\delta$, $\varepsilon$, and ζ types, respectively. Protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ corresponded to a immunoreactive band at a molecular weight of 80,000-dalton, whereas molecular weights of other immunoreactive isozvmes of protein kinase C were detected at 68,000-dalton. Protein kinHse C $\delta$ and ζ antibodies detected additional bands at 55,000-dalton and 80,000-dalton, respectively Immunocvtochemical study confirmed the results of the immunoblotting experiments qualitatively: all six protein kinase C isozymes were detected in the cytoplasm of PC-3 cells. Translocation of protein kinase C in PC-3 cells were also examined with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), bryostatin 2, diolein, and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl glycerol (OAG). Differential reactions of protein kinase C isozvmes to these activators were obsenred. When PC-3 cells were treated with 10mM bryostatin 2, protein kinase C isozyme u was translocated into the nucleus, whereas s type was translocated into the plasma membrane and the nucleus. Protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ and ζ types were translocated into the nucleus following the treatment with 101M diolein, whereas protein kinase C ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, and $\varepsilon$ types were translocated into the nucleus by the treatment with 10mM OAG. Protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ and $\varepsilon$ types were translocated into the nucleus in the presence of 100nM PMA. Protein kinase C $\delta$ type was translocated to the nuclear membrane by these activators, however, only PMA-induced translocation was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyll-2-methvlpiperazine dihvdrochloride (H7) . H7 inhibited translocation of protein kinase C ${\alpha}$ type induced by PMA, ${\beta}$ type by OAG and s type by PMA and OAG, whereas it did not affect translocations induced by bryostatin and diolein, respectively. These results suggest that there exist six isoformes of protein kinase C (${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, $\delta$, $\varepsilon$ and ζ types) in PC-3 cells and that each of these isozvmes distinctivelv reacts to bryostatin, diolein, OAG and PMA, in part due to an altered molecular size and conceivably discrete binding site(s).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1979

An experimental study was carried out to develop a rural type toilet of which the effluent could not transmit parasitic diseases at a village in Kangwon Province, Korea, during the period of January through December 1978, A drum tank (dia. 57cm$\times$90cm) and a cement tank (100cm$\times$100cm$\times$100cm) were filled with human excreta collected from toilets of the villages (the ratio of feces to urine was estimated approximately 1: 5) at once and three threecompartment toilets were constructed and used by people. pH, temperatures and viability of parasitic eggs were examined with the content of toilets. Rusults are summarized as follows: 1. pH increased from 7.0 at the beginning of experiment to 7.5 or 8.0 after 4 months of storage in drum tank as well as in cement tank and so did from 7.0~7.5 in the first tank to 8.0~8.5 in the third tank of all three-compartment toilets. 2. Temperatures of content at middle part of toilets in January through March ranged from 2 to 6$\circ$C which were 2-4$\circ$C higher than those of air, and those of lower part were again 1~2$\circ$C higher than of middle part. but temperatures of air, at middle part andat lower part in April were 14$\circ$C, 9~10$\circ$C and 8~9$\circ$C respectively, in July 29$\circ$C, 20~21$\circ$C and 19~20$\circ$C respe ctively and in October 17$\circ$C, 14$\circ$C and 14~13$\circ$C respectively. 3. All the parasitic eggs were degenerated about 4 months after filling drum tank with human excreta on 10th April while 10% of eggs were degenerated on 15th May, and all the eggs were degenerated about 4 months after filling cement tank on 24th August while about 10% were degenerated on 11th September and 20% on 4th October. 4. Degeneration rates of eggs were only 5~15% at 5cm below surface in the first tanks of three-compartment toilets while 45~65% at 50cm below, and concentration rates of eggs in second tanks were 8~12% of those in first tanks and only a few eggs were found in third tank but all of them were degenerated. Specific gravity of liquid of 1.022~1.024 in second tanks was not enough for overflowing eggs into third tanks.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2005

Cell response to genotoxic agents is complex and involves the participation of different classes of genes including cell cycle control, DNA repair and apoptosis. In this report, we presented a approach to characterize the cellular functions associated with the altered transcript profiles of MCF-7 exposed to low-dose in vitro gamma-irradiation. We used the method of human 2.4 k cDNA microarrays containing apoptosis, cell cycle, chromatin, repair, stress and chromosome genes to analyze the differential gene expression characterization that were displayed by radiation-exposed cell, human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell line, such as 4 Gy 4 hr, 8 Gy 4 hr, and 8 Gy 12 hr. Among these genes, 66 were up-regulated and 49 were down-regulated. Specific genes were concomitantly induced in the results. Cyclin dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) is induced for starting the cell cycle. This regulation is required for a DNA damage­induced G1 arrest. In addition to, an apoptotic pathways gene Bcl-w was concomitantly induced. Mismatch repair protein homologue-l (hMLH1), a necessary component of DNA mismatch protein repair (MMR), in G2-M cell cycle checkpoint arrest. The present study provides new information on the molecular mechanism underlying the cell response to genotoxic stress, with relevance to basic and clinical research.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.143-150
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• 2019

To evaluate the toxicity of ophthalmic drug, the Draize test and Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) test commonly used. In Draize test, experimental animals were under stress and pain due to long-term exposure of drug. In addition, regarding physiological functions, animal model is not perfectly reflected a human eye condition. Although some models such as $EpiOcular^{TM}$, HCE model, LabCyte Cornea-Model, and MCTT $HCE^{TM}$ were already presented advanced cornea ex-vivo model to replace animal test. In this sense, cornea tissue structure mimicked ex-vivo toxicity model was fabricated in this study. The corneal epithelial cells (CECs) and keratocytes (CKs) isolated from rabbit eyeball were seeded on non-patterned silk film (n-pSF) and patterned silk film (pSF) at $32,500cells/cm^2$ and $6,500cells/cm^2$. Sequentially, n-pSF and pSF were stacked to mimic a multi-layered stroma structure. The thickness of films was about $15.63{\mu}m$ and the distance of patterns was about $3{\mu}m$. H&E stain was performed to confirm the cell proliferation on silk film. F-actin of CKs was also stained with Phalloidin to observe the cytoskeletal alignment along with patterns of the pSF. In the results, CECs and CKs were shown the good cell attachment on the n-pSF and pSFs. Proliferated cells expressed the specific phenotype of cornea epithelium and stroma. In conclusion, we successfully established the ex-vivo cornea toxicity model to replace the eye irritation tests. In further study, we will set up the human ex-vivo cornea toxicity model and then will evaluate the drug screening efficacy.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.122-133
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• 2021

The radon gas from nature mainly considers a cause of radon problems, and it is closely affect human life cycle. Korean yellow residual soil, Hwangtoh, widely used as a building material, is considered to be one of major sources of indoor radon. However, there have, as yet, been no studies about radon from Hwangtoh in mass market brands. Here, we investigated the indoor radon concentrations and exhalation rates in four Hwangtohs from different brand names and regional features. The Closed Chamber Method (CCM) conducted by a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) has been used for the rates of radon exhalation. Based on equations of previous references, the indoor radon concentrations were deducted. As a result, the radon surface exhalation rates resulted in the 1.4208 to 3.0293 Bq·㎡·h-1 range. Significant differences were found among Hwangtohs according to production regions. Materials with higher radon concentration required a longer time to reach a quasi-steady state in a given environment, in other words, the number of half-life cycles increased from a set starting point. The experimentally identified Hwangtohs demonstrated its safety for construction purposes. There exists, so far, a possibility to exert influence radon emanation due to unidentified factors. Therefore, it is necessary to corroborate with more research by increasing the number of Hwangtohs, considering the other references reported high radon exhalation rates. In addition, it is highly recommended that the radon exhalation rates should be measured for all building materials for preventing human health before the material usage.