• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 1996

There are many important factors in periodontal inflammation. $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ and collagenase are predorminantly key factors. These inflammatory mediators induce gingival tissue and alveolar bone destruction. For the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease, it is necessary to inhibit $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ production and collagenase activity. Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) has immunomodulatory properties, and there is evidence that some natural extracts show antiinflammatory activity to some degree. The purpose of this study was to assess the inhibitory effect of UDCA and its mixture with natural extracts on $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ production and collagenase activity. Accordingly we assessed the effect of UDCA and its mixture combined with some natural extracts on inhibition of $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ production and collagenase activity. For the $IL-l{\beta}$ inhibition study, cultured cells were exposed to $25{\mu}g/ml$ LPS. $IL-1{\beta}$ activity was measured by $IL-1{\beta}$ enzyme immunoassay system. Human gingival fibroblasts were prepared and cells (l05/well) were seeded into culture plates. $rhIL-1{\beta}$ was added to induce $PGE_2$. The amount of $PGE_2$ in sample media was measured using enzyme immunoassay system. Crude collagenase was prepared from Porphyromonas gingivalis and collagenolytic activity was determined using a Collageno kit CLN-100. The test inhibitor was added to the assay mixture consisting of 0.1ml of 50mM Tris buffer(pH 7.5) and 0.2ml of substrate solution. UDCA and UDCA combined with natural extracts generally inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$ production. groups above 0.01% UDCA strongly inhibited $IL-l{\beta}$ synthesis. Both groups inhibited $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ synthesis of $PGE_2$. In low concentration, the degree of inhibition was as same as prednisolone. In high concentration, each group was superior to prednisolone. UDCA group and UDCA mixture group exerted a moderate inhibition of collagenolytic enzyme. The present study suggested that UDCA and its mixture with natural extracts could be further investigated as antiinflammatory drug for periodontal disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2001

Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage, cryoprotectant, and freezing-thawing method on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Materials and Methods: Two to eight cell embryos were obtained from oviducts of mated $F_1$ hybrid female mice superovulated by pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Two-step 1,2-propanediol (PROH), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 4-step PROH DMSO were used as cryoprotectant and dehydration and rehydration method of embryos, and slow-cooling or rapid-cooling method was used as frozen program. The survival rates of embryos were measured after thawing and rehydration, and the developmental rates of embryos were compared and observed during culturing embryos for 24, 48, 72, 96 hrs. Results: As for the survival and development rates of embryos according to embryonic stage, the survival rate of 2 cell stage in PROH and DMSO was significantly higher than 4-8 cell (64.5% versus 62.1 %,79.7% versus 73.2%) (p<0.01, p<0.01), but the development rates of 4-8 cell embryos in PROH and DMSO were significantly higher than 2 cell embryos for whole culture period (p<0.01) and the development rates of 4-8 cell embryos in PROH were significantly higher than 2 cell embryos in DMSO (p<0.01). As for the survival and development rates of embryos according to cryoprotectant, the survival rate of 2 cell embryo in DMSO was significantly higher than that in PROH (74.4% versus 64.5%) (p<0.01), whereas the development rate of embryos was not differ till 24 hrs. The developmen1 rate from morular to hatching blastocyst, however, was significantly higher in PROH than in DMSO during 48 hr (p<0.01). The survival rate of 4-8 cell embryo was 62.1% in PROH and 73.2% in DMSO. The development rates of embryo in PROH were significantly higher for whole culture periods (p<0.01, 0.05). In respect to the effect of freezing and thawing program on the survival and development rates of embryos, method of slow cooling and rapid thawing was more effective than that of rapid cooling and rapid thawing. Conclusions: The survival rate of embryo in 2 cell stage was higher than in 4-8 cell stage, and PROH appears more effective cryoprotectant than DMSO because PROH showed better development rates of embryos in 2 and 4-8 cell stage. Moreover, slow cooling and rapid thawing method was considered as the best cryopreservation program.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2001

Objective: The present study was performed to investigate the efficiency of partial laser assisted hatching (p-LAH; lased 1/2 ZP width from ZP edge) on hatching of mouse blastocysts. Methods: We used non-contact $1.48{\mu}m$ diode laser (MTM, Switzland) to create a precise hole on zona pellucida. 2-cell embryos were collected from the mouse (ICR) oviduct at 48 hours after hCG administration. Collected 2-cell embryos were cultured in the P-1 medium supplemented with 0.4% BSA. For experiments, embryos at 8-cell stage were used after $20{\sim}22$ hours in culture. After conventional (c-LAH) or partial laser assisted hatching, the embryos were further cultured in P-1 medium supplemented with 0.4% BSA for 3 days. To compare efficiency of complete and partial laser assisted hatching, hatching rate, hatching time and blastocyst diameter and zona pellucida thickness at hatching time were investigated. Embryos were examined every 12 hours. Blastocyst diameter and zona pellucida thickness at hatching time were measured with an ocular micrometer. Results: Hatching rates of p-LAH group (84.2%) was significantly higher than that of control group (39.3%), but there was no difference between the p-LAH (84.2%) and c-LAH (91.2%). p-LAH group was hatched 12 hours earlier than control group, but hatched 12 hours later than c-LAH group. The diameter of blastocyst at hatching time of p-LAH group ($113.1{\pm}6.4{\mu}m$) was smaller than that of control group ($122.2{\pm}5.0{\mu}m$), but larger than that of c-LAH group ($102.2{\pm}2.7{\mu}m$). Zona pellucida thickness at hatching time of p-LAH group ($6.4{\pm}0.9{\mu}m$) was thicker than that of control group ($4.5{\pm}1.5{\mu}m$), but thinner than that of c-LAH group ($10.0{\pm}0.8{\mu}m$). Conclusion: These results suggest that p-LAH may maintains the cell arrangement of early embryos to ensure successful development and prevent precocious hatching of blastocyst when compare to c-LAH and conventional (acidic tyrode) AH. Thus, p-LAH may provide a valuable and effective AH technique for human ART program.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.126-137
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• 2022

Objective: Efficient gene editing technology is critical for successful knock-in in domestic animals. RAD51 recombinase (RAD51) gene plays an important role in strand invasion during homologous recombination (HR) in mammals, and is regulated by checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and CHK2 genes, which are upstream elements of RAD51 recombinase (RAD51). In addition, mismatch repair (MMR) system is inextricably linked to HR-related pathways and regulates HR via heteroduplex rejection. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated knock-in efficiency of human lactoferrin (hLF) knock-in vector in the bovine β-casein gene locus can be increased by suppressing DNA MMR-related genes (MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2) and overexpressing DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair-related genes (RAD51, CHK1, CHK2). Methods: Bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells were transfected with a knock-in vector, RAD51, CHK1, or CHK2 overexpression vector and CRISPR/sgRNA expression vector to target the bovine β-casein gene locus, followed by treatment of the cells with CdCl₂ for 24 hours. After 3 days of CdCl₂ treatment, the knock-in efficiency was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mRNA expression levels of DNA MMR-related and DNA DSB repair-related genes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: Treatment with CdCl₂ decreased the mRNA expression of RAD51 and MMRrelated genes but did not increase the knock-in efficiency in MAC-T cells. Also, the overexpression of DNA DSB repair-related genes in MAC-T cells did not significantly affect the mRNA expression of MMR-related genes and failed to increase the knock-in efficiency. Conclusion: Treatment with CdCl₂ inhibited the mRNA levels of RAD51 and DNA MMR-related genes in MAC-T cells. However, the function of MMR pathway in relation to HR may differ in various cell types or species.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.64-76
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• 2003

This study was conducted in order to find out the basic data and informations for the accidents for repairing of agricultural machines. This study was summarized as fellows : 1. Among the total repair work, the ratio of repair accident was 68.9% and the accident ratio with power tiller, tractor, and combine was 84.8%. The accident occurred frequently in April to May and September to October because of frequent use of machines during this months. The accidents occurred often of ten to eleven and two to three afternoon in a day. 2. The 36.3% of the accident types was farming machines and the 60.4% of the accident occurred in yard of repair shop. The 34.4% of accident was caused by people, 26.2% by machines, 24.9% by environmental factors, and 14.5% by others. 3. In accident damage, human damage was 98.4% and economic damage was 43.6%. There was only 40.2% in having agricultural machinery insurance and 22.5% of research applicant answered that they would not have insurance in the future. 4. The 58.2% of the injured parts occurred in fingers, hands, wrists, or arms and the 74.4% of the damage types were bruise, prick or abrasion. The damaged parts of machinery were belt of power transmission device, chains, sharpened knives, narrow mechanism or cultivating knives for rotary. 5. The average days of medical treatment for casualty was 15.5 days and the average expense of medical treatment per person was 189,200 won. The days of temporary rest and the economic damage per person due to accident were 12.8 days and 469,300 won.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.324-332
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• 1998

In order to standardize the chinese cabbage kimchi, the preparation method, kinds of ingredients and levels of the ingredients were determined by the statistical survey of literatures obtained from cooking books, scientific papers and kimchi manufacturing factory. The standardized ingredient kinds and ratio of chinese cabbage kimchi were $13.0{\pm}7.0$ of radish, $2.0{\pm}0.5$ of green onion, $3.5{\pm}0.8\;or\;2.5{\m}0.3$ of red pepper powder, $1.4{\pm}0.4$ of garlic, $0.6{\pm}0.3$ of ginger, $2.2{\pm}1.6$ of anchovy juice, and $1.0{\pm}0.3$ of sugar in the proportion of 100 salted chinese cabbage, and the final salt concentration was adjusted to 2.7% using salt. Red pepper powder level was quite different from the literature sources, so sensory evaluation, chemical properties and antimutagenic effect and growth inhibitory effect on human cancer cells of the kimchi samples were studied to decide the proper ratio of the red pepper powder as an ingredient. Red pepper powder 3.5% (average level for kimchi manufacturing factory) added kimchi was better in quality than red pepper powder 2.5% (average level for cooking books and scientific papers) added kimchi in sensory evaluation and chemical properties. The juice of red pepper powder 3.5% added kimchi showed not only the stronger antimutagenicity against aflatoxin $B_1$ in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 but also the higher inhibitory effect on the growth of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in SRB assay than that of red pepper powder 2.5% added kimchi. In conclusion, the standardized ratio of the ingredients was 13.0 radish, 2.0 green onion, 3.5 red pepper powder, 1.4 garlic, 0.6 ginger, 2.2 anchovy juice, 1.0 sugar, and 2.7 final salt concentration in the proportion of 100 salted chinese cabbage.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2002

5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT; serotonin) system has been implicated in the modulation of male sexual behaviors and the secretion of reproductive hormones. In human males, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are known to improve the major male sexual dysfunction, premature ejaculation, through the central nervous system-mediated pathways. As numerous hormone and local factors, 5-HT may have peripheral role in the regulation of male sexual function. The expression of 5-HT receptor subtypes in the target tissue, however, has not been explored yet. The present study was undertaken to test whether the 5-HT receptor subtypes are expressed in the reproductive tissues of male rat, especially in ejaculatory machinery such as seminal vesicle and vas deferens. To do this, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis were employed. The transcripts for the 1A, 1B and 2C subtypes of 5-HT receptor were amplified in all the tested tissues. The present study demonstrated the expression of 5-HT receptor in the rat ejaculatory machinery, suggesting that 5-HT may play a pivotal role in the male sexual function via not only central pathway but also peripheral route. Further study on the receptor subtype-specific effect and their harmonized mode of action will be needed to establish the understanding of ejaculation mechanism and drug design.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2020

The present research work primarily investigated whether spinosin has the potential of improving the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) driven by β-amyloid (Aβ) overproduction through impacting the procession of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Wild type mouse Neuro-2a cells (N2a/WT) and N2a stably expressing human APP695 (N2a/APP695) cells were treated with spinosin for 24 h. The levels of APP protein and secreted enzymes closely related to APP procession were examined by western blot analysis. Oxidative stress related proteins, such as nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected by immunofluorescence assay and western blot analysis, respectively. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was analyzed by flow cytometry, the levels of Aβ_1-42 were determined by ELISA kit, and Thioflavin T (ThT) assay was used to detect the effect of spinosin on Aβ_1-42 aggregation. The results showed that ROS induced the expression of ADAM10 and reduced the expression of BACE1, while spinosin inhibited ROS production by activating Nrf2 and up-regulating the expression of HO-1. Additionally, spinosin reduced Aβ_1-42 production by impacting the procession of APP. In addition, spinosin inhibited the aggregation of Aβ_1-42. In conclusion, spinosin reduced Aβ_1-42 production by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in N2a/WT and N2a/APP695 cells. Therefore, spinosin is expected to be a promising treatment of AD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2016

Objectives : Liver is one of the largest organs in the human, and has a function of detoxification and energy sensing to prevent severe disease. Paeoniae radix has been used to treat a variety of liver diseases such as hepatitis and chronic hepatic failure. Although P. radix has been used as an medicinal herb for a long time, the effects of P. radix on severe oxidative stress and its action mechanism on the liver was not clearly verified.Methods : This study investigated the protective effects of P. radix extract (PRE), and the underlying mechanism of its action in the liver. tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and carbon tetrachlroride (CCl₄) were used to induce oxidative stress in the HepG2 hepatocyte cell line and Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively.Results : t-BHP significantly induced cell death and ROS production in HepG2 cell, as indicated by MTT and FACS analysis. However, pretreatment of PRE inhibited a decrease in cell viability and H₂O₂ production in the HepG2 cells. PRE also blocked the ability of t-BHP to damage in mitochondrial membrane transition. More importantly, PRE induced Nrf2 activation and antioxidant Phase II enzyme, which may have a role in the effects of PRE. In mice, PRE inhibited the liver damage induced by CCl₄.Conclusions : PRE inhibited oxidative stress and hepatic damages as mediated with Nrf2 activation. This study unveil, in part, the effect and mechanism of old medicinal herb, P. radix.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2010

Albumin-modification has been viewed as one of the most effective ways of extending the short in vivo lifetimes of peptide drugs by delaying glomerular filtration. In this study, we describe a new type 2 anti-diabetic exendin-4 (Ex4) peptide derivative with significant binding ability to human serum albumin (HSA). This exendin-4 derivative consists of a 4-branched polyethylene glycol $(PEG)_{5k}$ (Mw: 20 kDa) modified with three stearylamines ($C_{18}-NH_2$) and one exendin-4 on its branches. PEG and stearylamine were selected to provide functionality to increase molecular size and bind to albumin, respectively. This derivative ($3C_{18}-4PEG_{5k}$-Ex4) was shown to have larger molecular size (Ca. 152 kDa) than actual (25.0 kDa) when subjected to size-exclusion chromatography, and the fluorescein-tagged $3C_{18}-4PEG_{5k}$-Ex4 displayed significant binding to the HSA-immobilized Sepharose CL-4B resin using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, $3C_{18}-4PEG_{5k}$-Ex4 was found to have acceptable anti-hyperglycemic efficacy via three consecutive oral glucose tolerance testings (OGTT) in fasted type 2 diabetic db/db mice. The $HD_{total}$ value ($57.6{\pm}12.3%$) of $3C_{18}-4PEG_{5k}$-Ex4 at a 50 nmol/kg dose was 2-fold greater than that ($31.0{\pm}8.7%$) of native exendin-4 in non-fasted db/db mice. Especially, the blood glucose levels in the mice group treated with $3C_{18}-4PEG_{5k}$-Ex4 did not rebound to ~150 mg/dL until 24 h after the injection, which obviously shows the extended hypoglycemia. We believe that this derivative has great pharmaceutical potential as a novel long-acting type 2 anti-diabetic injection treatment.