• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.278-289
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• 2015

Indigenous strains of Trichoderma species isolated from rhizosphere soils of Tea gardens of Assam, north eastern state of India were assessed for in vitro antagonism against two important tea fungal pathogens namely Pestalotia theae and Fusarium solani. A potent antagonist against both tea pathogenic fungi, designated as SDRLIN1, was selected and identified as Trichoderma viride. The strain also showed substantial antifungal activity against five standard phytopathogenic fungi. Culture filtrate collected from stationary growth phase of the antagonist demonstrated a significantly higher degree of inhibitory activity against all the test fungi, demonstrating the presence of an optimal blend of extracellular antifungal metabolites. Moreover, quantitative enzyme assay of exponential and stationary culture filtrates revealed that the activity of cellulase, ${\beta}$-1,3-glucanase, pectinase, and amylase was highest in the exponential phase, whereas the activity of proteases and chitinase was noted highest in the stationary phase. Morphological changes such as hyphal swelling and distortion were also observed in the fungal pathogen grown on potato dextrose agar containing stationary phase culture filtrate. Moreover, the antifungal activity of the filtrate was significantly reduced but not entirely after heat or proteinase K treatment, demonstrating substantial role of certain unknown thermostable antifungal compound(s) in the inhibitory activity.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.372.1-372.1
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• 2002

AIzelin (1) and quercitrin (2) isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the leaves of Litsea japonica Jussieu (Lauraceae) showed inhibitory activity against classical pathway complement system with 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$/) values of 112.2 and 198.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. respectively. For the structure-activity relationship of flavonoids on anti-complement system. myricitrin (3) from JUQ/ans mandshurica Maximowicz (Juglandaceae) also tested anti-complement activity. while this was devoid of any significant activity. (omitted)

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2008

The antimicrobial activity of seventy five ethanol extracts obtained from 67 different kinds of plant species of the Mongolian flora were evaluated by means of the disc diffusion method against five species of microorganisms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the plant extracts examined, 34 kinds of extracts demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against one or more species of microorganisms, respectively. Especially, the root extract of Paeonia anomala, the whole herb extract of Myricaria alopecuroides, the whole herb extract of comarum zalesovianum, the whole herb extract of Agrimonia pilosa and some other plant extracts demonstrated a particularly potent antimicrobial activity. The ethylacetate fractions obtained from the whole herb extract of Myricaria alopecuroides and from those of Sedum aizoon, Paeonia anomala, Sedum hybridum and Dasiphora fruticosa exhibited a particularly potent antibacterial activity especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.241-244
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• 2011

A lectin from the hemolymph of purse crab, Philyra pisum, was found to have anti-proliferative activity on human lung cancer cells by our laboratory. In this study, P. pisum lectin (PPL) was molecularly characterized including molecular mass, amino acid sequences, amino acid composition, and the effects of metal ions, temperature, and pH on the activity. We found that PPL showed mitogenic activity on human lymphocytes and BALB/c mouse splenocytes. The mitogenic activity (maximum stimulation index, $SI=9.57{\pm}0.59$) of PPL on human lymphocytes was higher than that of a standard well-known plant mitogen, concanavalin A (maximum $SI=8.80{\pm}0.59$). The mitogenic activity mediated by PPL is required for optimum dosing, and higher or lower concentrations caused decreases in mitogenic response. PPL also induced mitogenic activity on mouse splenocytes, however, the maximum SI ($1.77{\pm}0.09$) on mouse splenocytes of PPL was lower than that ($2.14{\pm}0.15$) of concanavalin A. In conclusion, PPL is a metal ion-dependent monomer lectin with mitogenic activity, and could be used as a lymphocyte or splenocyte stimulator.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 2016

The photocatalytic (PC) activity of anatase titania nanoparticles can be improved through codoping with transition metals and nitrogen. In addition, the PC activity can also be improved by creating monodisperse, mesoporous nanoparticles of titania. The question naturally arose as to whether combining these two characteristics would result in further improvement in the PC activity or not. Herein, we describe the synthesis and photocatalytic characteristics of codoped, monodisperse anatase titania. The transition metals tested in the polydisperse and the monodisperse forms were Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu. In each case, it was found that the monodisperse version had a higher PC activity compared to the corresponding polydisperse version.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2004

Background: We previously reported that ginsan, a polysaccharide extracted from Panax ginseng had an immunostimulatory activity such as mitogenic activity, activation of macrophages and killer cells, and production of a variety of cytokines which resulted in antitumor and antiseptic effects. We further purified $\alpha$-(1$\longrightarrow$6)-glucan and $\beta$-(2$\longrightarrow$6)-fructan from the ginsan with size exclusion and ion-exchange column chromatography successively. In this study, we performed the structure-based activity of ginsan by comparison with known polysacchrides such as $\beta$-glucan, curdlan, laminarin, levan, dextran, lentinan and OK-432. Methods: To investigate the immunostimulatory activity of several polysaccharide compounds, we investigated the stimulation of lymphocytes proliferation, the generation of activated killer cells and the secretion of nitrites from activated macrophages. Results: Of polysaccharides tested, curdlan and ginsan stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, suggesting that the molecular weight and composition of polysaccharide are dependent on the mitogenic activity. The production of nitric oxide was significantly increased in curdlan, levan, ginsan and its fraction, indicating that fructan has also capacity to activate macrophages and may devote to kill pathogens. In addition, the activation of macrophages was seemed to be independent of molecular weight of polysaccharide. The generation of AK cells was exhibited in order of curdlan, OK-432> F1, ginsan, F3> levan> etc. The AK activity may be dependent on molecular weight and composition of polysaccharides. Conclusion: Unfortunately, purified polysaccharide from ginsan were less active on immunostimulatory activity than mixed compounds of polysaccharides. From the viewpoint of structure and activity relationships, we found several characteristic features.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.395-400
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• 2006

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) plays an important role in detoxification and the metabolism of xenobiotics. Here we show that GSTP1 also regulates the MEKK1-MKK7 signaling pathway. Over-expression of GSTP1 in HEK293 cells inhibited both ${\Delta}MEKK1$- and etoposide-induced apoptosis, and inhibited procaspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. MEKK1- induced apoptosis requires both its kinase activity and proteolytic cleavage. ${\Delta}MEKK1$ activity was inhibited by over-expression of GSTP1 in vivo and MEKK1 kinase activity was also inhibited by GSTP1 in vitro when assayed with bacterially-expressed MKK7(KM) protein as substrate. GSTP1 inhibition of etoposide-induced cell apoptosis was mainly due to its ability to suppress MEKK1 kinase activity. The glutathione-conjugating activity of GSTP1 was essential for the above effects. These findings provide insight into the mechanism by which GSTP1 protects cells from genotoxin-induced apoptosis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2023

Background: Individuals with scapular winging have a weak serratus anterior (SA) muscle, and to compensate, the pectoralis major (PM) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles excessively activate, which can cause upper extremity dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the effects of isometric horizontal abduction (IHA) on SA, PM, and UT muscle activity, as well as the SA/PM and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during knee push-up plus (KPP) at 90° and 120° of shoulder flexion. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of IHA on SA, PM, and UT muscle activity, as well as the SA/PM and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during KPP at 90° and 120° of shoulder flexion. Methods: This study, conducted at a university research laboratory, included 20 individuals with scapular winging. Participants performed KPP with and without IHA at 90° (KPP90) and 120° (KPP120) of shoulder flexion. SA, PM, and UT muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography. Results: PM activity in KPP90 with IHA was significantly lower than KPP90 and in KPP120 was significantly lower than KPP90. UT activity was significantly greater with IHA than without IHA and at 120° than 90° of shoulder flexion. SA/PM muscle activity ratio was significantly higher in KPP90 with IHA than without IHA and in KPP120 than in KPP90. SA/UT muscle activity ratio was significantly lower with IHA than without IHA. Conclusion: KPP90 with IHA and KPP120 are effective exercises to reduce PM activity and increase SA/PM muscle activity ratio. However, applying IHA in KPP90 also reduces SA/UT muscle activity ratio, implying that it would be preferable to apply KPP120 in individuals overusing their UT muscles.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.98-141
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• 2003

Lip chapping is a serious cosmetics problem, though remedies other than moisturizing have not been proposed. We investigated changes in the surface configurations of lip corneocytes and increased CD activity and improved chapping severity. Our results suggest that lip chapping can be activities of desquamation-regulating proteinases associated with lip chapping. Using scanning electron microscopy, villus-like projections were observed on the inner surfaces of most corneocytes from normal lips, whereas those with flatter surface were predominant in chapped lips. Further, cell surface area increased with the severity of lip chapping. Cathepsin D (CD)-like and chymotrypsin-like proteinase, which are also present in skin as desquamation-regulating proteinases, were detected in lip corneocytes, though only CD activity was found to decrease in severely chapped lips. Hydration was also lower in areas of lip chapping. Sequential topical application of apricot extract essence characterized as similar to senile xerosis rather than dry skin such as winter xerosis, as it shows a delayed transition of corneocytes through the stratum corneum, and the reduced CD activity may be one of the mechanisms that is further decreased by low hydration. We propose that an enhancement of both CD activity and lip moisture may be effective to improve lip chapping.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2008

The aim of the study is to investigate the antioxidant activity through, reducing power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), nitric oxide radical (NO), superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide radical ($H_2O_2$) scavenging activity and the amount of total phenolic compounds of chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Talinum portulacifolium. Chloroform extract of leaves of T. portulacifolium showed highest antioxidant activity, with a direct relationship between activity and concentration of extracts ($15-240\;{\mu}g/mL$). Among all the extracts, the highest amount of the total polyphenolic compounds was found in the chloroform extract. Chloroform extract of T. portulacifolium showed an important free radical scavenging activity towards the DPPH, NO, Superoxide and $H_2O_2$ radicals, with $IC_{50}$ values of 133.26, 165.75, 156.34 and $135.29\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In the lipid peroxidation assay, extracts of chloroform and ethyl acetate showed a remarkable inhibitory activity. The extracts showed significant activity in all the experiments but lower than the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid.